Over the past two years, pundits, pollsters, the media, and liberal politicians all predicted that House Republicans would lose the majority in 2024. They were proven wrong on Nov. 5, when the public gave President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans a mandate with unified control of government. As members-elect who flipped five seats and secured a Republican House, we are ready to deliver for the public. This opportunity was made possible in large part because of the efforts of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
While Republicans had a favorable environment across the country in the races for the White House and Senate, the battle for the House was much tougher. Redistricting after the 2020 census resulted in Democratic legislatures and “nonpartisan” commissions making more than a dozen districts more blue. Meanwhile, House Republicans last year had 16 incumbents facing extremely difficult reelections in districts President Joe Biden won in 2020, while third-party candidates prevented Republican wins in key states such as North Carolina, Ohio, and Oregon.
Perhaps the greatest hurdle was the historic avalanche of Democratic money being spent against House Republican incumbents and challengers. Overall, more than $550 million was spent against House Republicans this cycle — including tens of millions of dollars just in our races alone.
Following the unprecedented ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy just a year before the election, House Republicans lost a prolific fundraiser, and the party seemed destined to lose control of the chamber. But Johnson stepped in quickly to right the ship, got to work, and quieted fears by crisscrossing the country, participating in events that raised record-setting numbers and more than $330 million both directly and through the Congressional Leadership Fund. The speaker’s efforts helped fuel our individual campaigns with a combined extra $50.7 million — resources that proved invaluable.
However, we know that winning elections takes much more than hard dollars and ads on TV. It is about meeting constituents and hearing their concerns directly. To that end, no one did more to help House GOP ground efforts coast to coast than Johnson. In total, the speaker traveled to more than 250 cities across 40 states, logging enough miles to circle the globe more than 5 1/2 times. This included multiple stops for our campaigns for fundraising and get-out-the-vote rallies. In Pennsylvania, for example, the speaker’s Election Day barnstorming directly helped flip a precinct — and a seat.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Now, as we begin a new year and new Congress, we are eager to join our colleagues and deliver on Trump’s agenda and the promises made to our constituents. The challenges we face are many, as we must quickly hit the ground running to secure our border, reduce inflation, slash burdensome regulations on American energy and our daily lives, make our communities safe, and restore peace through strength.
While Johnson and Republicans have had to contend with a Democratic Senate and White House the past two years, a new unified government gives us the chance to make America great again. Johnson deserves credit for leading the fight to keep Congress in Republicans’ hands and charting an aggressive agenda for the next two years. Under his leadership, it’s now our time to deliver.
Reps.-elect Tom Barrett (R-MI), Nick Begich (R-AK), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), Gabe Evans (R-CO), and Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) flipped five seats held by Democrats in the 2024 election and will begin their terms on Jan. 3, 2025.