<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania —</strong> Speaker <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/mike-johnson/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mike Johnson</a> (R-LA) visited Pennsylvania on Tuesday, highlighting what he considers a "top three" battleground for the <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/2026-election/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2026 election cycle</a>.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">During his visit, Johnson campaigned in four districts, marking his seventh trip this cycle in support of Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), who won his 2024 election by a narrow margin.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">At a Fraternal Order of Police lodge in the Lehigh Valley, Johnson emphasized the significance of the election, linking it to Mackenzie's recent endorsements from local law enforcement organizations.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">"The entire country is watching what happens in about four districts in Pennsylvania, and this is a top three race in America right now," Johnson stated. "So, you’re not just supporting local law enforcement and the 7th District of Pennsylvania — you’re supporting the American way."</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Johnson's campaign schedule is extensive, as he aims to maintain Republican control of the House. He plans to visit 40 more districts before Election Day and has competitive races in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Iowa this week.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In addition to supporting Mackenzie, Johnson also campaigned for Reps. Scott Perry (R-PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) on Tuesday, all of whom are in competitive races that could influence the House majority.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mackenzie won his 2024 race by a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/05/us/elections/results-pennsylvania-us-house-7.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1-percentage-point</a> margin but currently trails Democratic challenger Bob Brooks by 5 points in the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/pennsylvania-us-house-7-polls-2026.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">latest public polling</a>. In 2024, President Donald Trump won the district by 3 percentage points over former Vice President Kamala Harris.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">"This is going to be a close election — we all know that," Johnson told the <em>Washington Examiner</em> during the campaign event, predicting Republican success by contrasting "common sense and crazy."</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">"We’re not having that. Marxists are not going to prevail," Johnson added, alongside House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) and Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL). "God’s not done with America yet. We’re going to win this election."</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Challenges for Republicans this election cycle include the typical difficulties faced by the party in power and a war in Iran affecting Trump’s approval ratings.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Concerns exist regarding the lack of a strong Republican candidate at the top of the ticket in Pennsylvania, with polls indicating that Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) leads GOP challenger Stacy Garrity by as much as 27 points.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mackenzie is relying on voters to split their tickets, citing historical precedents of such behavior in previous elections.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">"Those coattails don’t necessarily extend, and that’s because we have a very informed, very educated electorate," he stated. "They are swing voters. They like to go race by race, candidate by candidate."</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">"I’m confident we’re going to see that again," he concluded.</p>