Despite Massie vote, Rep. Mike Johnson re-elected as House speaker

By Thérèse Boudreaux
The Center Square

Three Republican holdouts appeared to block the re-election U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., during the first round of voting, but two changed their minds in time for Johnson to cinch the position with 218 votes before the first roll call closed.

Reps. Thomas Massie from Kentucky, Ralph Norman from South Carolina, and Keith Self from Texas each initially voted for other Republican candidates instead of Johnson during a first round of voting Friday.

Johnson was unable to afford more than one Republican “no.” Since Massie had already expressed his unequivocal opposition to Johnson some days ago, Johnson’s re-election hinged on Norman and Self switching their votes. Massie had voted for Rep. Tom Emmer, Norman had voted for Rep. Jim Jordan, and Self had voted for Rep. Byron Donalds.

After a brief discussion off the floor with Johnson during a recess, Norman and Self changed their votes. Massie is the sole Republican who ultimately refused to vote for Johnson.

All 215 Democrats voted for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

Before the recess, seven other Republicans did not respond at the first count and waited until the end of the ballot to vote for Johnson to increase the pressure.

Those holdouts, who had previously expressed dissatisfaction of Johnson’s speakership, included:

Rep. Andy Biggs;
Rep. Michael Cloud from Texas;
Rep. Andrew Clyde from Georgia;
Rep. Paul Gosar from Arizona;
Rep. Andy Harris from Maryland;
Rep. Chip Roy from Texas; and
Rep. Michael Waltz from Florida.

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