Alabama lawmakers back Mike Johnson’s successful speakership bid

U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) was reelected to be the House leader on the first ballot Friday afternoon after receiving an endorsement by President-elect Donald Trump.

“A win for Mike today will be a big win for the Republican Party, and yet another acknowledgment of our 129 year most consequential Presidential Election!! – A BIG AFFIRMATION, INDEED. MAGA!” Trump said on Truth Social Friday.

Reps. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Keith Self (R-Texas) originally voted for candidates other than Johnson — Norman voted for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Self voted for Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), but the Clerk held the vote open, which allowed Norman and Self to change their support to Johnson after some negotiations.

Alabama’s Republican congressional delegation in its entirety voted for Johnson on the victory, and publicly congratulated him shortly after.

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) said he’s ready to “get to work” to help his “friend” Johnson pass Trump’s agenda.

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) said, “Now, lets get to work solving our nation’s problems.”

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) said, “Now is the time to pass sound policies and further the conservative agenda!”

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Monrovia) said Johnson continues to be the right man for the job.

Just before the vote, one of Alabama’s two Democratic members of Congress said she was voting for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies for the top spot. U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Mobile), now officially sworn in as a member of Congress, also cast his vote for Jefferies.

“Kicking off the 119th Congress! Getting ready to cast my vote for Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker of the House!” U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) said.

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee