UPDATE: U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson has announced he will seek the position of Speaker of the House.
He announced the decision on social media, posting a letter he sent to his colleagues. If you want to read the letter, scroll down.
"I have been humbled to have so many Members from across our Conference reach out to encourage me to seek the nomination for Speaker. Until yesterday, I had never contacted one person about this, and I have never before aspired to the office. However, after much prayer and deliberation, I am stepping forward now," he wrote.
"Although I feel a great responsibility for our cause and I have a clear vision and plan for how to lead us through these unprecedented challenges, I demurred until now out of admiration and respect for our rules, the process, and the good men involved. Kevin, Steve, Jim and Austin have all been faithful friends and brothers to me, and I believe we should give honor where honor is due. Each of the new candidates deserve the same."
Here's the post:
Johnson, who represents North Louisiana as well as parts of Acadiana, currently is serving his fourth term. He's Vice Chairman of the House Republican Conference, a member of the Judiciary and Armed Services Committees, and is Deputy Whip for House Republicans.
Earlier today, we reported that he was considering the move.
"I can confirm that the Congressman is currently making calls to colleagues regarding a possible run for Speaker," a spokesman for the Congressman's office told KATC Friday evening.
It's been a tumultuous several weeks in the House, since a small group of Republican members joined Democrats to remove U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Ca., from the Speaker's chair, just 10 months after he was elected to the post.
After that, another Louisiana Congressman, U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, ran unsuccessfully for the post. Just yesterday, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan was dropped as the nominee after three votes in which he failed to win the seat.
There is no clear candidate, the AP reported Friday:
Their majority control floundering, Republicans left the private session blaming one another for the divisions they have created. Next steps were highly uncertain, as a wide range of Republican lawmakers started pitching themselves for speaker. But it appears no one at present can win a GOP majority, leaving the House without a speaker and unable to function for the foreseeable future.
Here's Johnson's letter:
