Republican state Sen. Michael Rulli won a special election to finish out former Republican Rep. Bill Johnson’s term for this Congress, increasing Speaker Mike Johnson‘s (R-LA) slim majority in the House.

The Associated Press called the race at 9:02 p.m., over an hour after polls closed. Rulli won the special election with 52.3% of the vote counted at the time the race was called.

LIVE UPDATES | FOLLOW THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER’S TUESDAY NIGHT PRIMARY COVERAGE

Rulli will replace Johnson, whose seat in the House has been vacant for months. Johnson became the 32nd House member not to seek reelection in 2024 in November last year. He began his new position as president of Youngstown State University on Jan. 22.

Rulli, along with Democrat Michael Kripchak and independent candidate Christopher Lafont, ran on Tuesday to succeed Johnson.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Rulli and Kripchak are also on the November ballot to run for the seat’s full term.

Rulli will be sworn into the House shortly after Tuesday’s election. Johnson currently has a two-seat majority, with Rulli’s win likely to bring temporary relief for the top Republican.