Friday, July 10, 2026
Vol. VIII
Est. 2019

The Mind Shield

News · Opinion · Politics · Analysis

Johnson elected speaker in first round after two House Republicans change their votes.

Johnson elected speaker in first round after two House Republicans change their votes.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters at the Capitol in Washington, Nov. 2, 2023.(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) held on to the speakership in dramatic fashion on Friday.

After roll call votes, Johnson fell short of the speakership by two votes as Reps. Keith Self, R-Texas, Ralph Norman, R-S.C., and Thomas Massie R-Ky. voted for other Republicans earlier in the voting process.

After meeting with Self and Norman in the cloakroom, both lawmakers changed their votes to Johnson allowing him to reach the 218 votes needed to clinch the speakership.

Massie, who has been vocal in his opposition to Johnson, remains the only Republican to vote for someone other than the Louisiana Republican.