Johnson Says GOP Will Win ‘Decisive Victory’ Against Harris-Walz Ticket
Speaker Mike Johnson remains optimistic about the GOP’s electoral prospects, especially after Vice President Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.
In an interview with The Hill, Johnson predicted success for former President Donald Trump in the presidential race and anticipated strong Republican performances in other races.
“I like the matchup now,” Johnson commented when asked about how the GOP would compete against the new ticket. “I’m pleased, for our purposes, that she chose Walz, because they can’t escape their record, and I don’t believe it will resonate with voters.”
He further explained, “Before recent developments, we were on track to achieve decisive victories in both the House and Senate. I still believe we’re on that trajectory.” Johnson added confidently, “I’m very bullish about November.”
This August, Johnson plans to embark on a campaign blitz through 20 states, visiting key battlegrounds and Democratic strongholds in a bid to maintain and expand the GOP majority. So far, he has campaigned in 32 states and 147 towns, with eight of the upcoming states being first-time visits for him.
Speaking from the 79th floor of a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper, with New York City as a backdrop, Johnson expressed confidence that every Republican incumbent in the House would win reelection in November. His prediction was notably optimistic, considering New York’s status as a Democratic bastion, home to five of the 17 Republicans in Biden-won districts.
“New York is crucial for our majority, as are states like California and other swing areas. We have exceptional incumbents in these districts, and they’re running strong reelection campaigns. It’s been very rewarding to see,” Johnson said. “They’re outworking their opponents and, in many cases, raising more funds. That’s encouraging because they have the right message, the right tone, and they understand their communities.”
While cautious about predicting exact gains, Johnson did forecast a significant improvement in GOP numbers. “I don’t want to handicap it,” he said, “but I believe we’ll see a notable increase in our majority, despite the limitations of gerrymandering and redistricting. I don’t expect a 35- or 40-seat majority, but we can achieve a substantial expansion, and that will be a big help.”
“I expect Republicans to take control of the Senate, and I anticipate Donald Trump returning to the White House,” Johnson added. “With a unified government, we’re also preparing a very aggressive agenda for the first 100 days of Congress.”
The Biden administration’s handling of the U.S.-Mexico border crisis has also come under scrutiny, particularly in light of Harris’s role, which led some Republicans to label her the “border czar.”
House Speaker Johnson plans to visit the southwestern border, including parts of California, to highlight GOP efforts to pass election integrity legislation and criticize the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies. According to the Washington Examiner, Johnson will hold a press conference at the ‘Whiskey 8’ border fence in San Ysidro, California, alongside Representative Darrell Issa. Additionally, he will tour U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities in San Ysidro and Imperial Beach.
The issue of Harris’s designation as “border czar” has become a political talking point. Democrats insist she was never formally assigned that title, though her duties did include addressing the root causes of migration. “She was never given the position of ‘border czar,’” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated, accusing Republicans of “making it up.” Similarly, Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar called the issue “political theater,” adding, “It’s no surprise what they’re doing — it’s almost laughable.”
Despite the pushback from Democrats, Johnson maintains that Harris is a “co-author and co-conspirator” of the policies that have worsened the border crisis. After President Biden tasked Harris with addressing the root causes of migration, media outlets and Republicans began referring to her as the “border czar.”
Former Border Patrol Union head Brandon Judd also expressed frustration with Harris’s handling of immigration. “It’s very disappointing,” Judd told Fox News. “We provided her with the necessary policies, but she refused to implement them.” His remarks come at a time when Harris’s record on immigration is under increasing scrutiny as Biden announced his decision not to run in 2024, throwing his support behind her candidacy.
Critics argue that Harris’s performance on border security will be a pivotal issue in the upcoming election.