Johnson wins dramatic reelection as speaker after 2 GOP hard-liners switch votes

The Republican holdouts changed their votes after calls from Donald Trump.

ByAlexandra Hutzler, Lauren Peller, John Parkinson, and Arthur Jones II
Last Updated: January 3, 2025, 2:42 PM EST

In some high-stakes political drama, the House of Representatives on Friday voted to reelect House Speaker Mike Johnson to lead the 119th Congress by a razor-thin margin.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican who ascended to the leadership post in 2023 after the historic ouster of Kevin McCarthy, had secured President-elect Donald Trump's support as he sought a second term.

But Johnson's handling of the government spending fight just before Christmas angered some of the GOP's right flank. Three Republicans initially defected from Johnson during the vote, but two ultimately changed their votes to hand him the gavel.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news developed:
Jan 03, 2025, 2:41 PM EST

Johnson wins speakership on 1st round after last-minute vote changes

Johnson staved off a failure in the first round of voting to win a second term as speaker.

After nearly two hours, Johnson secured the 218 necessary votes.

Rep. Mike Johnson shakes hands with Representatives after he re-elected as the Speaker of the House on the first day of the 119th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 3, 2025.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

At first, he appeared on track to lose with three Republicans voting for someone else.

But after leaving the chamber to huddle with defectors, two lawmakers changed their votes to hand him the gavel.

House Republicans stood and gave Johnson a standing ovation as his win was announced.

Rep. Mike Johnson is applauded after he was re-elected as the Speaker of the House on the first day of the 119th Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 3, 2025.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images
Jan 03, 2025, 2:33 PM EST

Two GOP defectors change their vote to Johnson

Reps. Ralph Norman and Keith Self changed their votes to Johnson, which would bring him to the 218 needed to be speaker.

Jan 03, 2025, 1:53 PM EST

Johnson exits chamber as vote remains open

As lawmakers waited for the final House vote to be called, Johnson was seen huddling with various lawmakers, including Reps. Dusty Johnson, Tim Burchett, and Nancy Mace.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson talks to Rep. Dusty Johnson during the first day of the 119th Congress in the House Chamber of the Capitol Jan. 3, 2025, in Washington.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

He also was spotted talking with other GOP leaders like House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain, who nominated him for speaker.

He ultimately walked out of the chamber before the vote closed.

Rep. Mike Johnson leaves the floor after the House failed to elect a Speaker of the House in the first vote on the first day of the 119th Congress in the House Chamber of the Capitol, Jan. 3, 2025, in Washington.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Jan 03, 2025, 1:32 PM EST

Johnson appears on track to lose 1st round

With three defections so far, Johnson appears on track to lose this first round of voting.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson sits on the House floor during the vote for the Speaker of the House at the start of the 119th Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 3, 2025.
Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Rep. Keith Self, a Texas Republican, is the third Republican to vote for another candidate. He cast his ballot for Florida Rep. Byron Donalds.

However, members can still change their votes as the roll call is ongoing.

With three defections so far, Johnson appears on track to lose this first round of voting.
9:04

Rep. Mike Johnson appears on track to lose first round of House speaker vote

With three defections so far, Johnson appears on track to lose this first round of voting.
ABCNews.com

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