Newly minted House Speaker Mike Johnson has garnered significant support from wealthy Republican donors in Louisiana, positioning them as potential key players in GOP fundraising during his speakership. With deep ties to the oil and gas industry, Johnson's major donors have already made an impact on the National Republican Congressional Committee's fundraising efforts.

Since assuming the speakership, Johnson's election has provided a boost to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), which serves as the official campaign arm for House Republicans. On his first day as speaker, the NRCC raised an impressive $175,000, marking its best online fundraising day in over 18 months, according to Politico.

However, as Johnson now takes on the role of fundraiser-in-chief for House Republicans, he faces the challenge of filling the shoes of former speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was known for his prolific fundraising ability. During the 2022 midterm cycle, McCarthy's aligned super PAC, Congressional Leadership Fund, raised a staggering $350 million. In contrast, Johnson's campaign and leadership political action committee combined managed to raise just over $1.5 million during the same period, according to OpenSecrets.

With the pressure to raise millions for the 2024 House races, Johnson is turning towards his network of wealthy Louisiana donors. One prominent supporter is shipyard magnate Donald "Boysie" Bollinger, a long-time advocate for Johnson and the Republican party. Bollinger is widely regarded as one of the most influential Republican political donors in Louisiana, having served as a state finance chairman for multiple presidential campaigns, including those of Presidents Donald Trump, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Senator John McCain.

Bollinger has already shown his support for Johnson, contributing $6,600 to his campaign in February, according to Federal Election Commission records. Additionally, Bollinger has donated over $47,000 to the NRCC this cycle. Another major Louisiana donor who has backed both Johnson and former President Trump is Joseph Canizaro, a prominent commercial real estate titan in New Orleans. Canizaro contributed $4,600 to Johnson's reelection effort, according to federal records.

The support from wealthy donors extends beyond the oil and gas industry into other sectors. John Atkins, a partner at the Louisiana-based Atco Investment Company, donated $25,000 to Johnson's joint fundraising committee, the Johnson Leadership Fund, in 2021. Atkins' firm has investments in the oil and gas business, according to his website. Similarly, employees at the oil and gas exploration company Will-Drill Resources have contributed approximately $43,000 to Johnson's campaigns, with Allen Williams, the company's vice president, donating over $8,000 since 2016.

As Johnson faces the challenge of meeting fundraising goals for the upcoming House races in 2024, his network of wealthy Louisiana donors, particularly those from the oil and gas industry, could play a crucial role in providing the necessary financial support. Their contributions have already made a significant impact on the NRCC's fundraising efforts, bolstering Johnson's position within the GOP as he assumes his role as one of the party's leading fundraisers.