Mike Johnson
| James Michael "Mike" Johnson | |
U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 4th congressional district
| |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | John Fleming |
|---|---|
Louisiana State Representative for District 8 (Bossier Parish)
| |
| In office February 22, 2015 – January 3, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Jeff R. Thompson |
| Succeeded by | Raymond Crews |
| Born | January 30, 1972 |
| Political party | Republican Party |
| Spouse(s) | Kelly Lary Johnson |
| Children | Two sons and two daughters |
| Alma mater | Captain Shreve High School Louisiana State University |
James Michael Johnson, known as Mike Johnson (born January 30, 1972), has been since 2017 the U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 4th congressional district, which encompasses Shreveport, Bossier City, and Minden. Prior to his election to Congress in 2016, Johnson, a Republican conservative, served from 2015 to 2017 in the Louisiana House of Representatives, to which he was unopposed in two elections. A Southern Baptist, he is a strong advocate for student-led prayer in public education, support for the Second Amendment right of individuals to own firearms, and opposition to abortion.
A Shreveport native who resides in Benton in Bossier Parish, Johnson graduated from Captain Shreve High School, Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, and the LSU Law Center. He is affiliated with the Council for National Policy, the National Rifle Association, the American Bar Association, and the Louisiana Family Forum. From 2004 to 2012, Johnson was a trustee of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission within the Southern Baptist Convention. He has experience as well as a radio talk host. He was engaged in the practice of law in Benton in Bossier Parish until his searing in to the congressional seat.
As a state lawmaker, Johnson proposed the Louisiana Marriage and Conscience Act, which had it been enacted would have prohibited state government from withholding a certificate, license, contract, or tax deduction based on an individual's views on traditional marriage. The measure failed in a state House committee when critics called it a ruse to discriminate against same-sex couples. Then Governor Bobby Jindal, who supported Johnson's measure, issued an executive order to implement the intent of the failed legislation.[1]
On December 10, 2016, Johnson handily won a runoff election for the U.S. House seat by defeating a Shreveport Democratic attorney Marshall Jones, 87,369 votes (65 percent) to 46,578 (35 percent). Johnson carried all fifteen parishes in the district. His totals ranged from 78 percent in Bossier Parish but only 52 percent in his native neighboring Caddo Parish, the home of opponent Jones.[2]
On April 8, 2018, Johnson joined Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry at meetings in Minden and Bossier City at which the two Republicans explained the First Amendment freedom of religion. Johnson and Landry said that many teachers and administrators misconstrue the student-initiated prayer and are often intimidated by atheist organizations that oppose prayer. Bossier Parish has been sued for allegedly permitting some educators to introduce religious themes into their lessons.[3]
References
- ↑ Rep. Mike Johnson Calls His Marriage and Conscience Act A Call For "Freedom and Tolerance". KEEL Radio. Retrieved on April 9, 2018.
- ↑ Election Returns. Louisiana Secretary of State (December 10, 2016). Retrieved on April 9, 2018.
- ↑ Robert J. Wright. Mike Johnson, Jeff Landry on First Amendment and Prayer in Schools. KEEL Radio. Retrieved on April 9, 2018.