Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson today endorsed Ohio Republican John Boehner for House Majority Leader to replace Tom DeLay.

Rep. Johnson cast his first ballot for U.S. Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz., then threw his support behind Rep. Boehner on the second ballot. Rep. Boehner won 122-109 over current Acting Majority Leader Roy Blunt.

“Rep. Boehner has called for systemic reforms that if enacted will change the way we do business, both from an ethics standpoint and in the way we deliberate as a body,” Rep. Johnson said. “Whatever one’s opinions about the questions that surround some of my colleagues, Rep. Boehner represents a clean break from the past. He is a man of unquestioned integrity and devotion to conservative principles that will serve our country well.”

Rep. Boehner has been chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee and in the recent past has led other large projects such as Financial Services Modernization and Freedom to Farm.

Rep. Boehner has proposed a series of reforms intended to target the heart of abuses.

“I believe the reforms Rep. Boehner has proposed will lend transparency to the legislative process and impose higher standards on the lobbying community and legislators as well,” Rep. Johnson said. “I applaud the results of the vote today.”

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