by Ben Whedon
Mike Johnson won the first round of voting for Speaker after two opponents endorsed him.
Johnson initially got 216 votes, while Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries got 215. Three other lawmakers voted for someone else and none voted for the incumbent.
Libertine. Ralph NormanRS.C., initially voted for Republican Jim Jordan of Ohio, but cast his vote for Johnson. Rep. Keith Self, R-Pa., cast his vote for Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., but also flipped.
Johnson finished with 218 votes, the bare minimum.
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., voted for Republican Whip Tom Emmer.
On Friday, the House of Representatives convened for the first day of the 119th Congress.
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Ben Whedon is a reporter for Just the News.
