‘This Will Go to Multiple Rounds’: House Republican Says Johnson Won’t Win First Ballot

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) poured cold water on Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) hopes of winning Friday’s vote to remain House speaker on the first ballot.

Burchett posted to X that “This will go to multiple rounds” before the voting had even begun. Johnson can only afford to lose one vote if all House members vote, as he needs an outright majority to become speaker.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has made absolutely clear he will not support Johnson, while a dozen other House members have said they remain undecided. Burchett’s tweet suggests that he knew of other members beyond Massie who are currently hard “no” votes. The Tennessee congressman himself voted for Johnson.

Fox News anchor Bret Baier reported earlier on Friday that President-elect Donald Trump personally whipped votes for Johnson and that Trump world was “cautiously optimistic” he could win on the first ballot. “I am told President-elect Trump this morning has made calls to a few so-called ‘undecided’ Republicans on the speaker vote. We are told ALL of those calls were “positive” for Johnson — notably NOT on the list was Rep. Thomas Massie who has made his no vote clear,” said Baier before adding:

There is cautious optimism in Trump world that Johnson will be elected as Speaker on the first ballot. But- they acknowledge there is some doubt. The President-elect is engaged and watching – and may make more calls.

House Republicans are working to avoid a chaotic, multiple round vote like the one in January 2023 that eventually saw Kevin McCarthy become speaker on the 15th ballot.