In visit to a vital battleground district, Johnson said he’s “bullish” on Republicans’ 2026 chances • Michigan Advance
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) during a visit to Lansing, Mich. held by U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte). Aug. 18, 2026 | Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance
Joining U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett in downtown Lansing, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) called on residents of one of the nation’s most competitive House districts to send the Charlotte Republican back to Washington for a second term.
“We came in to support Tom because this race is critically important,” Johnson told reporters Tuesday. “We need this guy. He is a workhorse for the people of Michigan.”
Barrett is seeking reelection to Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, a swing district and key target for Democrats looking to build their ranks in the U.S. House. He faces William Lawrence, a Lansing-area housing advocate and founder of the Sunrise Movement, which advocates for climate justice.
Johnson told reporters he was “very bullish” on the outcome of the election, though he acknowledged Republicans wo…