Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) stood alone among House Republicans in voting against Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Friday, as two other GOP members ultimately switched their support to the Louisiana lawmaker, ensuring his victory in the Speaker’s race. Massie, who had previously vowed to oppose Johnson, cast his vote in favor of House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) during the first round of voting, sticking to his position that Johnson was not the right choice to lead the GOP in the House.
However, Johnson’s path to the Speakership became clearer after two conservative lawmakers, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas), changed their votes. Norman had initially supported Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), while Self had thrown his backing behind Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.). Their late switch helped push Johnson over the top, securing the necessary votes to win the Speakership.
A group of hardline conservatives had withheld their support for Johnson until the final round of voting, with several members choosing to remain silent during the initial roll call before ultimately siding with the Louisiana congressman. As the votes were tallied and Johnson’s victory became clear, House members began congratulating him, and he was officially set to take the gavel.
President-elect Donald Trump played a key role in influencing the outcome of the vote. According to sources, Trump personally lobbied Norman and Self, both members of the influential House Freedom Caucus, urging them to support Johnson. As the vote count looked uncertain, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) also reached out to Trump, who quickly moved to rally support for Johnson.
After Johnson secured the Speakership, Trump offered his congratulations, praising him as a “great” speaker who would bring much-needed leadership to the country. On Truth Social, the president-elect expressed confidence in Johnson’s ability to lead, writing, “Mike is going to be an excellent Speaker, and our Country will benefits from it. The American people have had to wait 4 years for Common Sense, Strength, and good Leadership. They will understand now, and America will be better than ever before!”
While Johnson’s victory marks a crucial moment for the GOP, Massie’s opposition remains a reminder that not all Republicans are on board with his leadership. Massie has voiced concerns that Johnson’s approach could hurt the party’s chances in the 2026 elections, calling for a speaker who can inspire the public and effectively communicate the GOP’s message. For now, Johnson holds the gavel, but the ongoing debate within the GOP about its direction and leadership is far from over.