On the Campaign Trail: Johnson Casts Midterms as ‘Common Sense vs. Communism’

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.—Speaker Mike Johnson is joining House Republicans on the campaign trail this month as they face an election cycle that could change the fate of the country. He says Republicans aren’t just up against Democrats; they’re facing off against communist threats. 

At a campaign event for Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., on Monday, just one of the stops on Johnson’s 30-day tour of 34 districts in 18 states, Johnson described the midterm election as “common sense vs. communism.”

With the rise of Democratic Socialists of America candidates across the country, and the divide in the Democratic Party, Republicans believe that if they can communicate the threat of socialism and communism to Americans, it will be winning messaging for the GOP come November. 

Johnson laid out the threat and what DSA candidates will do if they assume office. 

“They want to abolish the border. They want to abolish all prisons in America. They would have abolished the U.S. Senate. They would have removed the president,” Johnson told reporters.

“They want to expand the House and make it a unicameral governing body over the entire country because they believe that over two or three cycles, they’ll be able to bring a wave of the Marxist communists into the Congress and take it over.”

These are all policies of the DSA, according to the group’s Workers Deserve More plan. 

Johnson continued, explaining that if this happens, they will take away and assume the means of production to the government. “That means no more private property ownership. That means the small business owners across America, who provide jobs and opportunity for people, will be taken over by the government. It’s a dangerous game,” he said.

Over the weekend, Johnson published a new website, Contrast for America, to “educate people, especially young voters,” on the long-term threat of communism.

The website lays out the history of socialism, arguing that every attempt led to communism—from famine beginning in Soviet Russia in 1918 to China’s Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, which led to famine, the government closing schools, and silencing free speech. It also mentions North Korea and Venezuela, where food shortages continue today.

“The government that promises everything for free will almost certainly take it away in short order. Definitely in the long term,” Johnson said, highlighting the tens of millions of people killed by communism in the 20th century. He warned this could soon be America if the Democratic Party accommodates DSA members.

While House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has not endorsed the DSA or socialism, Johnson warns that these candidates will caucus with Democrats once elected. In an appearance on “Meet the Press” over the weekend, Jeffries admitted that DSA candidates, if elected to Congress, will caucus with Democrats.

“You’re going to have individual members who have been elected in Democratic primaries, and if they are elected in the general in November, will be part of the House Democratic Caucus. It’s going to be a broad caucus,” Jeffries said. 

Johnson said Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are “not even trying to resist this at this point,” and instead are “going to have to bring these people into the fold.”

Communist Messaging and Solid Fundraising 

Americans will continue hearing this message from Republicans, especially from Johnson and House leadership as they campaign with Republican incumbents running for reelection. Johnson has promised to help his party win, hold, and grow its majority in the midterms

Johnson has raised over $135 million for his fellow Republicans this cycle, bringing the total to over $200 million since becoming speaker. According to Johnson’s campaign, the House leader has distributed over $80 million to members, campaigns, committees, and state parties this cycle alone. 

Johnson’s super PAC, the Congressional Leadership Fund, has raised over $53 million in the second quarter alone. The fund has more than $140 million in cash on hand.