Mike Johnson Wins Speakership After Late Flip By Republican Holdouts

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was reelected Friday afternoon by House Republicans in a tight vote after receiving enough votes to secure the gavel.

Johnson won the vote to be the speaker of the 119th Congress on the first ballot.

During the vote on the first ballot, there were six members who originally decided not to vote and were silent when their names were first called. There were also three other members who voted for a different Republican to be speaker, making him two votes shy of the necessary 218 votes.

Republican Reps. Andy Biggs and Paul Gosar of Arizona, Michael Cloud of Texas, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Andy Harris of Maryland and Chip Roy of Texas were all silent when first called on during the first ballot. After being called again, Roy said he would be voting for Johnson. Gosar also then voted for Johnson.

Before the vote, Johnson told reporters, “I think so,” when asked if he believes he would have enough votes on the first ballot.

BREAKING: Rep. Chip Roy abstains from voting. pic.twitter.com/hBvAb7eos0

— Resist the Mainstream (@ResisttheMS) January 3, 2025

Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie voted for Majority Whip Tom Emmer to be the next speaker and South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman originally voted for Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan. Texas Rep. Keith Self placed his vote for Florida Rep. Byron Donalds.

Mike Johnson declared he thinks he has the votes to be Speaker of the House on the first ballot. pic.twitter.com/gH2IgOaA1U

— Trending Politics (@tpbreaking) January 3, 2025

After some closed door discussions, Norman and Self ended up changing their votes to Johnson before the first ballot was closed, giving Johnson enough votes to secure the Speakership.

Ahead of the vote, Johnson tweeted that as speaker he would commit to several measures.

• Create a working group comprised of independent experts – not corrupted by lobbyists and special interests – to work with DOGE and our committees on implementing recommended government and spending reforms to protect the American taxpayer.
• Task that working group with reviewing existing audits of federal agencies and entities created by Congress – and issuing a report to my office for public release.
• Request House committees undertake aggressive authorizations and appropriations reviews, including providing additional resources where needed, to expose irresponsible or illegal practices and hold agencies/individuals accountable that have weaponized government against the American people.

The American people have demanded an end to the status quo, and a return to fiscal sanity. That’s why the citizens of our great country gave President Trump the White House and Republican control of both chambers of Congress. If we don’t follow through on our campaign promise for…

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) January 3, 2025

Since Johnson arguably mishandled a government shutdown fight earlier in December, he’s had to gain back the trust of several members of his own party. Johnson needed 218 votes to win the speaker’s election, meaning he could only have lost two votes to keep his job. While he had the support of all House Republican leadership, there were still some party members who said Johnson would need to promise more in order to earn their votes.

Despite the blowback over the 1,574-page continuing resolution that would have kept the government running through March 14 and was filled with what many considered unnecessary spending, President-elect Donald Trump stuck by Johnson’s side. On Friday morning, ahead of the vote, Trump posted a Truth Social post reaffirming his support for Johnson, wishing him good luck. (RELATED: Trump Endorses Mike Johnson For Speaker Of The House)

Thank you, President Trump!

Today is a new day in America.

Congressional Republicans must stay united to quickly deliver President Trump’s America First agenda.

Let’s get it done. pic.twitter.com/I0tjr7nMhE

— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) January 3, 2025

Ahead of the vote, the only Republican who said they would definitely not be voting for Johnson was Massie. He publicly said Dec. 18 that he would oppose Johnson’s bid to remain speaker and would vote for another candidate. Massie then doubled down on the decision even after Trump’s endorsement. (RELATED: Mike Johnson Still In Jeopardy As Some House Republicans Remain Unconvinced After Trump Endorsement)

I respect and support President Trump, but his endorsement of Mike Johnson is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan. We’ve seen Johnson partner with the democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and blow the budget. pic.twitter.com/6Y7GAkcBzJ

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) December 30, 2024

How I voted. pic.twitter.com/DT0SJVt6eD

— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) January 3, 2025

Other House Republicans who were mostly silent on their support of Johnson ahead of the vote but came out for him during the first ballot included: Indiana Rep. Victoria Spartz, Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett, Missouri Rep. Eric Burlison, Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles and Florida Rep. Greg Steube.

After the vote, Trump congratulated Johnson, saying: “Congratulations to Speaker Mike Johnson for receiving an unprecedented Vote of Confidence in Congress. Mike will be a Great Speaker, and our Country will be the beneficiary,” Trump said.

🚨 Statement from President Donald J. Trump on the election of @SpeakerJohnson pic.twitter.com/ejKtgR5RlC

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 3, 2025

“The People of America have waited four years for Common Sense, Strength, and Leadership. They’ll get it now, and America will be greater than ever before!,” he added.