Why did SC Congressman Ralph Norman flip on House Speaker vote? Here’s what we know
South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman was one of two Republicans to flip his vote on U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson after initially holding out with two other Republicans.
Why did he switch? According to Politico, Norman had a phone call with Trump.
Norman, whose first vote was for Rep. Jim Jordan, initially held out with GOP Reps. Thomas Massie, Ky., and Keith Self, Texas, to prevent Johnson from getting the seat. However, according to Politico, Norman and Massie talked to Trump after their initial votes against Johnson.
According to a Washington Post reporter, it was Nancy Mace who called Trump when she realized Johnson would not have the votes to be confirmed as Speaker
“She passed her phone to Norman, according to a person familiar with the interaction,” Leigh Ann Caldwell, Washington Post Live anchor tweeted. “Trump also spoke with Self. He helped convince both to change their votes for Johnson.”
Norman told Politico he changed his mind because “Mike gave us the assurance that he was going to fight for everything as it moves forward.” He also confirmed he spoke with Trump and said the call went “very well.”
“He just made a point about how Mike’s the only one who can get elected, that he’s likable — which I knew,” Norman said according to Politico. “Trump was helpful, but I knew where Trump stood.”
At 5:24 p.m., Norman tweeted, “My primary goal today and every day is to get our fiscal house in order, as is a priority for the people of SC-05. The status quo is unacceptable. After receiving reassurances regarding spending and process reforms, I changed my initial vote to support Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House,” the tweet read.
Norman, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, received criticism from a South Carolina political operative for his initial decision.
“I have a team of 90 political operatives I’m ready to put to work to take out Ralph Norman and I know every inch of the district like the back of my hand,” tweeted Wesley Donehue, a political strategist and CEO of Push Digital, a political consulting agency. “He doesn’t support MAGA and he’s an embarrassment to South Carolina.”
This story was originally published January 3, 2025 at 5:27 PM.