Speaker-Designate Mike Johnson Re-Elected Despite Last-Minute Doubts
Speaker-designate Mike Johnson, R-La., was re-elected to lead the House of Representatives on Friday, despite losing one fellow Republican in the final vote tally. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., was the only Republican to vote against Johnson, but it could have been worse for the House speaker. Reps. Keith Self, R-Texas, and Ralph Norman, R-S.C., were initially voting against Johnson, but switched their votes to support him.
Norman told Fox News that he changed his vote after getting assurances from Johnson. “I said, ‘Mike, are you going to give us specific examples of fighting for the things we mentioned? Will you give us your word?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ So I said, ‘OK, we’ll take you at your word.’ That’s why I changed my vote,” Norman explained on “The Story.”
Johnson’s future appeared uncertain at one point on Friday afternoon when Norman, Massie and Self voted for someone other than him for speaker. However, Johnson huddled with Self, Norman and other lawmakers behind closed doors before the vote was called to an end. Both later emerged and switched their votes to support Johnson.
Norman shared his initial opposition was rooted in concern over whether Johnson had the “willingness to fight for Trump’s agenda.” “We had met with Speaker Johnson yesterday for an extended period of time, and I just didn’t come away with the feeling that the oomph or the willingness to fight for Trump’s agenda was there,” he said on “The Story.” Norman stood behind his initial decision to vote against Johnson, reasoning it was “the only way I had to let my voice be heard.”
