Rep. Doug LaMalfa Dies as GOP Majority Narrows in House

Mike Johnson, born January 30, 1972, in Shreveport, Louisiana, is an American lawyer and Republican politician serving as the 56th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives since October 25, 2023. He represents Louisiana’s 4th congressional district, covering northwest and western regions of the state, including nearly 760,000 residents across approximately 16 to 20 parishes. Johnson was first elected to Congress in December 2016 by the largest margin of victory in his region in over 50 years and is currently serving his fifth term[1][2][3][4]. Before his tenure in Congress, Johnson earned a Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1998 and worked as an attorney, including with the conservative Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom. He also served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2015 to 2017. Johnson has been a prominent social conservative, advocating for policies such as nationwide abortion bans and opposing the expansion of medical cannabis. He chaired the Republican Study Committee from 2019 to 2021, the largest conservative caucus in Congress, and served as Vice Chairman of the House Republican Conference and Deputy Whip before becoming Speaker[1][2][4]. Johnson's rise to Speaker was notable for its speed; he attained the position faster than anyone since 1883. His speakership followed the ousting of Kevin McCarthy and has been characterized by efforts to promote conservative principles including limited government, individual freedom, fiscal responsibility, and support for military and veterans. In 2024, Johnson was reelected as Speaker for the 119th Congress. His leadership also focuses on growing the House Republican majority and advancing conservative legislative priorities[1][3][4][5]. He is married to Kelly Johnson, a licensed pastoral counselor and former teacher, and they have five children. The family resides in Bossier Parish, Louisiana[1].

Gavin Christopher Newsom, born October 10, 1967, in San Francisco, California, is an American politician and businessman currently serving as the 40th governor of California since January 2019. Raised in an established San Francisco family and educated at Santa Clara University, where he studied political science, Newsom began his political career in 1996 with an appointment to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, after serving briefly on the city’s Parking and Traffic Commission. Newsom was elected mayor of San Francisco in 2004, becoming the youngest mayor in over a century. His tenure was notable for progressive initiatives, including directing the city to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004, a pioneering move in the national movement for marriage equality. He also launched the Healthy San Francisco program, expanding access to healthcare for uninsured residents. After serving as mayor until 2011, Newsom was elected lieutenant governor of California, holding that office from 2011 to 2019. As governor, Newsom has focused on progressive policy areas such as gun control, criminal justice reform, environmental protection, affordable housing, and universal healthcare access. His administration has prioritized tackling homelessness, improving public safety, and expanding educational opportunities. Notably, he imposed an early moratorium on executions in California and led the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing some of the strictest health measures in the country. Newsom survived a recall election in 2021 and was re-elected in 2022, maintaining significant political influence in California. Newsom is also known for his entrepreneurial background, founding the PlumpJack Group, which grew into a substantial hospitality and wine business. He is married to Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and they have four children. Diagnosed with dyslexia in childhood, Newsom has spoken publicly about overcoming learning challenges while pursuing a career in public service[1][2][3][5][6][7].