In a surprising and high-stakes conclusion, Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) was elected Speaker of the House on the first ballot during the opening session of the 119th Congress at the

U.S. Capitol on January 3, 2025.

Initially facing significant opposition, Johnson’s victory came after key Republican opponents reversed their positions in a last-minute shift. Garnering the necessary 218 votes, he secured the gavel, overcoming what appeared to be a potential loss earlier in the process.

Despite the win, Johnson now faces a daunting task: steering the House through legislative challenges with the slimmest majority the chamber has seen in nearly a century.

The Vote Breakdown
At the outset of the roll call, Johnson fell short due to three critical defections. Rep. Thomas Massie cast his vote for Rep. Tom Emmer, Rep. Ralph Norman supported Rep. Jim Jordan, and Rep. Keith Self backed Rep. Byron Donalds. With all House members present and voting, Johnson could afford no more than one defection from his party.

The vote remained open for an extended period, allowing Johnson time to rally support. After intense discussions, Reps. Self and Norman switched their votes, delivering the needed margin for Johnson’s victory. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.