In his first address as Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson shared his humble beginnings as the son of a former firefighter, a contrast to the wealth of previous speakers. Worth around $350,000, Johnson is the least wealthy House speaker of the century. His biggest asset is his home in Benton, Louisiana, highlighting his financial similarities to the average American his age rather than to his predecessors.
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1972, Johnson’s parents were teenagers when he was born. His father, a firefighter, was critically injured when Johnson was 12, shaping his anti-abortion views. Johnson went on to study business and law, eventually marrying Kelly Lary in 1999. The couple raised a Black 14-year-old boy and had four biological children of their own.
Johnson built his legal career focusing on religious liberty issues, working at the Alliance Defense Fund and later becoming dean of a future Christian law school that never opened. He eventually resigned and took a job at a Louisiana law firm, founding another Christian legal advocacy group. Johnson entered politics, serving in the Louisiana state House before winning a seat in Congress in 2016.
Despite his modest finances, Johnson’s salary as Speaker of the House has increased to $223,500, and his federal pension, estimated at $63,000, will continue to grow with his tenure. He faces a challenge to his speakership from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right Republican from Georgia, but if successful, his financial situation may improve.
Aside from his pension and home, Johnson has contributed to a Thrift Savings Account and taken out personal loans. With four children nearing college age, Johnson’s lack of savings may present challenges, but he sees his modest finances as a positive attribute that allows him to relate to everyday American families. Despite the financial differences with his predecessors, Johnson remains focused on serving the American people as Speaker of the House.
