Early Life and Education of Mike Johnson: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Mike Johnson. A timeline of key moments.

Mike Johnson is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the 56th Speaker of the House since 2023. A Republican, he has represented Louisiana's 4th congressional district in the House of Representatives since 2017, currently serving his fifth term.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

January 30, 1972: Mike Johnson was born

On January 30, 1972, James Michael Johnson was born. He is an American lawyer and politician.

Others born on this day/year

1984: Father Injured in Fire

In 1984, Pat Johnson, Mike Johnson's father, was severely injured and disabled in a fire while serving with the Shreveport Fire Department. A fellow firefighter died in that fire.

1995: Graduated from Louisiana State University

In 1995, Mike Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Louisiana State University, becoming a first-generation college graduate.

1998: Graduated from Louisiana State's Paul M. Hebert Law Center

In 1998, Mike Johnson graduated from Louisiana State's Paul M. Hebert Law Center with a Juris Doctor degree.

May 1, 1999: Marriage to Kelly Renee Lary

On May 1, 1999, Mike Johnson married Kelly Renee Lary. They reside in Benton, Louisiana.

2005: Johnson promotes covenant marriages on Good Morning America

In 2005, Johnson appeared on ABC's Good Morning America to promote covenant marriages, saying, "I'm a big proponent of marriage and fidelity and all the things that go with it".

2015: Johnson links abortions and family breakup to school shootings

In 2015, Johnson blamed abortions and the "breakup [of] the nuclear family" for school shootings. In 2015, he wrote on Facebook that Donald Trump "lacks the character and the moral center we desperately need again in the White House".

2015: Purity ball attendance

In 2015, Mike Johnson and his then 13-year-old daughter Hannah were featured attending a purity ball in a German television story about the purity movement.

2015: Elected to Louisiana House of Representatives

In 2015, Mike Johnson was elected to the 8th District seat of the Louisiana House of Representatives after being unopposed.

February 10, 2016: Announced Candidacy for 4th Congressional District Seat

On February 10, 2016, Mike Johnson announced his candidacy for the 4th congressional district seat, which had been held for eight years by John Fleming.

2016: Johnson leads anti-abortion Life March

In 2016, Johnson led an anti-abortion "Life March" in Shreveport-Bossier City.

2016: Elected to represent Louisiana's 4th congressional district

In 2016, Mike Johnson was elected to represent Louisiana's 4th congressional district.

2016: Death of father, James Patrick "Pat" Johnson

In 2016, Mike Johnson's father, James Patrick "Pat" Johnson, passed away.

2017: Johnson questions scientific consensus on climate change

During a town hall in 2017, Johnson said that he believed that Earth's climate was changing, but questioned the scientific consensus that climate change is caused by humans.

2017: Elected to Congress

In 2017, Mike Johnson began representing Louisiana's 4th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, marking the start of his fifth House term.

2017: Johnson argues Roe v. Wade necessitates cuts to social programs

In a 2017 House Judiciary Committee meeting, Johnson argued that Roe v. Wade made it necessary to cut social programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

2021: Johnson co-sponsors bills attempting to ban abortion nationwide

In 2021, Johnson co-sponsored bills attempting to ban abortion nationwide, such as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children From Late-Term Abortions Act, and the Heartbeat Protection Act of 2021.

January 2023: House passes resolution condemning violence against pro-life facilities

In January 2023, the House passed a resolution Johnson introduced that condemned "vandalism, violence, and destruction against pro-life facilities, groups, and churches".