US House Speaker Mike Johnson walks back support of Walker in contentious Triad race

After backing former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker behind the scenes, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson is now staying neutral.

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker speaks with reporters outside the North Carolina State Fairgrounds in Raleigh on Dec. 7, 2023, before submitting his 2024 congressional paperwork.

Immediately after announcing his congressional run in the Triad, former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker touted an endorsement from newly-selected U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, first telling Anderson Alerts of the high-profile backing.

Now, the country’s top congressional Republican is walking back that support, dealing a blow to Walker’s efforts to return to Washington, D.C.

The development comes as voting is already underway in North Carolina’s March 5 primary and Walker finds himself with a growing list of political enemies.