Mike Johnson of Louisiana Wins Speaker Seat Again in a Squeaker
SHREVEPORT, LA – It has been a drama-filled week for Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson, but he has wrapped it up. The Shreveport Bossier City native has been re-elected Speaker of the House. This vote in the House took nearly 3 hours before Johnson won the gavel again.
What Happened in the First Round of Voting?
7 Republicans did not vote when their names were first called today. Andy Biggs of Arizona, Michael Cloud of Texas, Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Paul A. Gosar of Arizona, Andy Harris of Maryland, Michael Waltz of Florida and Chip Roy of Texas declined to vote.
Those 7 holdouts were called again for a vote and all 7 voted for Johnson.
That left the voting 216 for Johnson and 215 for Democrat Hakeem Jeffries.
But because 3 Republicans voted for someone other than Johnson, no one was elected Speaker on the first vote. Thomas Massie of Kentucky voted for Tom Emmer. Keith Self of Texas voted for Byron Donalds and Ralph Norman of South Carolina voted for Jim Jordan.
But Johnson held private meetings with Norman and Self and both men changed their votes to support Johnson.
434 House members were in the chambers for the vote on Friday. Lisa McClain of Michigan nominated Johnson to be re-elected as House Speaker. She told her colleagues they have the opportunity to put “America First again.”
One Republican Congressman, Thomas Massie of Kentucky was adamant and would not support Johnson.
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All of the Democrats did as expected and voted for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for the Speaker’s post. Johnson has told KEEL News he did not expect to get any Democratic votes.
This now means the House can move forward on Monday to certify the election of President-Elect Donald Trump.
Johnson has garnered support from key MAGA supporters, including Marjorie Taylor Greene previously told reporters she wanted to oust Johnson. She is now in Johnson’s corner. President-elect Trump has helped rally the votes for Johnson. He has called several Republicans to urge them to support Johnson and help get the numbers needed to keep Johnson in the seat.