Moderate Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro's Role in Uniting GOP and Uphill Battle for Re-Election

Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson, the second-place finisher in the previous internal party vote, was an unexpected choice for the GOP. However, Rep. Marc Molinaro, a little-known Republican freshman from upstate New York, played a key role in supporting Johnson’s bid for speakership.

Unforeseen Selection

Johnson's selection as the GOP choice was unanticipated given his previous second-place finish in the internal party vote.