(The Center Square) – Arizona Congressional Republicans could play a key role in the upcoming U.S. House Speaker vote.
Reps. Juan Ciscomani, Abe Hamadeh, Eli Crane and Paul Gosar are expected to back Speaker Mike Johnson for reelection.
“I’ve been clear on this: I’m gonna be voting for Mike Johnson. That’s who the conference supported, and that’s who can keep us together, as well,” Ciscomani told ABC 15 Arizona.
As for Hamadeh, he retweeted an X post from conservative attorney Mike Davis arguing that because President-elect Donald Trump is backing Johnson, “House Republicans should rally behind” him.
However, Rep. Andy Biggs told reporters ahead of the vote on Friday that he is not “committed one way or the other,” NewsNation reported.
CSPAN reported that Gosar and Crane are expected to back the speaker after both lawmakers played a role in the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy last year. Gosar, who represents a deep red district in western Arizona, also backed the notion of potentially scrapping Johnson in April, according to CNN.
Johnson can only afford one other Republican “no” vote in the chamber to avoid losing the speakership, unless he is able to swing Democratic votes in his favor. Kentucky U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie already said he is not going to support the speaker, which leaves little wiggle room.
The first round of voting is expected on Friday afternoon, and it could go to more rounds if the majority threshold is not hit initially.
