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October 2015 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election

Updated: 11/6/2025, 2:18:00 AM Wikipedia source

On October 29, 2015, during the 114th United States Congress, an election for speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives was necessitated by the impending resignation of John Boehner, set for October 30. Boehner was the first speaker to resign in the middle of a Congressional term since Jim Wright in 1989. This was 124th speaker of the House election since the office was created in 1789. Republican representative Paul Ryan, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, won the election, receiving 236 votes, an absolute majority of the 435-member chamber. Democrat Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader, garnered 184 votes, with 12 more going to others. As 432 representatives cast a vote, the majority needed to win was 217. Ryan (age 45) was the youngest person elected as speaker since James G. Blaine (age 39) in 1869. After the vote, Ryan delivered his first remarks as speaker-elect and was sworn in by John Conyers, the dean of the House. Boehner had been speaker since January 5, 2011, and during his tenure had managed substantial friction within the House Republican Conference, most notably several high-profile disputes with the Freedom Caucus. On September 25, 2015, Boehner announced his decision to resign as speaker and from Congress. He scheduled a Republican Conference non-binding vote for speaker on October 8, and a full floor vote on October 29. Several Republicans expressed interest in becoming speaker. Kevin McCarthy, the House Majority Leader was initially viewed as the favorite, but withdrew his name from consideration on October 8, when the Freedom Caucus refused to support him, and the conference vote was postponed. Immediately afterwards, an effort was made to recruit the widely respected Paul Ryan, who had been the 2012 Republican vice presidential candidate, for the post; but he had repeatedly insisted that he was not interested in the job. However, after receiving pledges of support from each of the various party factions, Ryan declared his candidacy. The several other Republicans interested in running for speaker promptly endorsed Ryan; only Daniel Webster remained in the race. Ryan won the rescheduled conference vote on October 28, and was elected speaker the next day.

Infobox

Candidate
Others
Party
Republican
Leader's seat
Wisconsin 1st
Members' vote
12
Percentage
2.78%

Tables

2015 election for speaker (special) – 114th Congress[104] · Election of the speaker
Total votes
Total votes
Party
Total votes
Party
432
Candidate
100
Votes necessary
Votes necessary
Party
Votes necessary
Party
217
Candidate
>50
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
Paul Ryan (WI 1)
236
54.63
Democratic
Nancy Pelosi (CA 12)
184
42.60
Republican
Dan Webster (FL 10)
9
2.08
Democratic
Jim Cooper (TN 5)
1
0.23
Democratic
John Lewis (GA 5)
1
0.23
Republican
Colin Powell
1
0.23
Total votes
432
100
Votes necessary
217
>50

References

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    https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/26/us/boehner-will-resign-from-congress.html
  2. National Constitution Center
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  3. House Session
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  4. The Washington Post
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  9. history.house.gov
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  13. The New Yorker
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  14. Roll Call
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  15. The Hill
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  16. Time
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  17. Politico
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  18. POLITICO
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  19. Tampa Bay Times
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  20. Time
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  21. The Washington Post
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  22. "Jason Chaffetz challenges Kevin McCarthy for speaker"
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  23. The Washington Post
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  24. Politico
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  25. Politico
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  26. Politico
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  27. The Washington Times
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  28. POLITICO
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  29. Daily Herald
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  30. Newsweek
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  31. "Rep. Walter Jones' letter clouds McCarthy's leadership withdrawal"
    http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article38272434.html
  32. New York
    http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/10/how-media-is-handling-rumored-mccarthy-affair.html
  33. "The affair allegations that derailed Kevin McCarthy's quest for the speakership, explained"
    https://www.vox.com/2015/10/9/9488323/mccarthy-ellmers-affair
  34. "Ellmers thanks lawmakers for 'prayers' amid affair rumors"
    https://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/renee-ellmers-affair-rumor-kevin-mccarthy-thanks-gop-lawmakers-for-support-214607
  35. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/us/politics/house-speaker-vote.html
  36. The Huffington Post
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  37. Bash, Dana
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  38. Roll Call
    https://web.archive.org/web/20151012000553/http://blogs.rollcall.com/218/speaker-election-delay-stirs-conservative-anger/
  39. The Washington Post
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  40. National Review
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  41. The Morning Call
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  42. Reuters
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  43. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/10/09/all-eyes-on-paul-ryan-as-house-gop-looks-to-regroup/
  44. "Jason Chaffetz: 'I Would Not Run Against Paul Ryan' for Speaker"
    http://www.nbcnews.com/video/jason-chaffetz-i-would-not-run-against-paul-ryan-for-speaker-541667908002
  45. The Boston Herald
    http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/us_politics/2015/10/romney_endorses_ryan_to_run_for_speaker
  46. NBC 15
    http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/Paul-Ryan-considering-running-for-House-speaker-331591902.html
  47. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/trump-ryan-speaker-214633
  48. The Advocate
    https://web.archive.org/web/20151010162238/http://blogs.theadvocate.com/politicsblog/2015/10/09/u-s-house-majority-whip-steve-scalise-r-jefferson-backs-paul-ryan-r-wisc-for-house-speaker/
  49. "Paul Ryan considering running for speaker"
    http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/09/politics/house-speaker-race-paul-ryan/
  50. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/jim-jordan-paul-ryan-house-speaker-214645
  51. "Jordan said powerful House Freedom Caucus is open to Ryan as next Speaker"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20151013221140/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/10/11/jordan-said-powerful-conservative-house-freedom-cause-open-to-ryan-as-next/?intcmp=hpbt1
  52. "U.S. Rep. Bill Flores tells The Eagle that he's still considering running for the House Speaker post"
    https://www.theeagle.com/news/local/u-s-rep-bill-flores-tells-the-eagle-that-he/article_e8fd2104-6ebc-11e5-b6f3-5b3909179392.html
  53. "Report: Conaway weighing in on Speaker bid"
    http://www.mrt.com/news/politics/article_1b9dfe7a-6e0f-11e5-abaa-ef351fcb757b.html
  54. "Sources: Flores, Conaway Weighing Bids for U.S. House Speaker"
    http://www.texastribune.org/2015/10/08/texas-members-react-congress-chaos/
  55. "McCaul plans to run for House Speaker"
    http://keyetv.com/news/local/mccaul-plans-to-run-for-house-speaker
  56. "Lynn Westmoreland, 'Considering' Running for Speaker"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20151009235713/http://politics.blog.ajc.com/2015/10/08/lynn-westmoreland-considering-running-for-house-speaker/
  57. "Zinke says he is considering running for House speaker"
    https://archive.today/20151014210707/http://www.startribune.com/zinke-says-he-is-considering-running-for-house-speaker/332563382/
  58. "House Speaker spotlight may swivel around Rep. John Kline"
    http://www.inforum.com/news/3857705-house-speaker-spotlight-might-swivel-minnesotas-john-kline
  59. "Issa: I'm considering running for House Speaker"
    https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/09/rep-issa-im-considering-running-for-house-speaker.html
  60. "Darrell Issa: "I May Run for House Speaker""
    http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2015/10/09/darrell-issa-i-may-run-for-speaker.html
  61. "Rep. John Kline in running for speaker, but says he supports Paul Ryan"
    http://www.startribune.com/rep-john-kline-in-running-to-be-speaker-but-says-he-supports-paul-ryan/331646361/
  62. "U.S. Rep McCaul to run if Paul Ryan doesn't"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20151015004042/http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/politics/2015/10/12/congressman-mccaul-run-speaker-if-paul-ryan-does-not/73836914/
  63. Dallas Morning News
    https://web.archive.org/web/20151012210437/http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2015/10/rep-bill-flores-announces-run-for-u-s-house-speaker.html/
  64. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/ryan-nears-decision-on-speakers-race-as-congress-returns/2015/10/20/b0e4998c-7687-11e5-bc80-9091021aeb69_story.html
  65. The Hill
    https://thehill.com/homenews/house/257548-ryan-tells-gop-hell-run-for-speaker-with-conditions/
  66. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/paul-ryan-speaker-freedom-caucus-214989
  67. "Ryan to run for House Speaker if he gets full party support"
    https://archive.today/20151023061907/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/10/20/ryan-to-run-for-house-speaker-if-gets-full-party-support/?intcmp=hplnws
  68. USA Today
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/10/21/boehner-predicts-ryan-get-support-hes-seeking-become-speaker/74323092/
  69. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/paul-ryan-freedom-caucus-speaker-215041
  70. "Paul Ryan officially running for speaker"
    http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/22/politics/paul-ryan-house-speaker-announcement/index.html
  71. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/23/us/politics/house-gop-factions-lining-up-for-paul-ryan-as-speaker.html?_r=1
  72. The Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2015/10/22/paul-ryan-goes-all-in-i-am-ready-and-eager-to-be-our-speaker/
  73. KBTX-TV
    https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033110/http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Flores-Chaired-Committee-Backs-Ryan-for-House-Speaker-336044291.html
  74. AL.com
    http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2015/10/mo_brooks_freedom_caucus_strik.html
  75. "John Boehner sets speaker election date: October 28"
    http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/21/politics/house-leadership-elections-john-boehner/
  76. USA Today
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/10/28/house-republicans-choose-paul-ryan-speaker/74737170/
  77. "Republicans back Paul Ryan as speaker"
    http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/28/politics/paul-ryan-speaker-leadership-elections-republicans-gop/index.html
  78. "House Republicans nominate Paul Ryan for speaker"
    http://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-republicans-nominate-paul-ryan-for-speaker/
  79. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/blogs/the-gavel/2015/10/webster-encouraging-house-republicans-to-not-vote-for-him-for-speaker-215341
  80. CNN
    http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/22/politics/paul-ryan-house-speaker-announcement/index.html
  81. "Could Daniel Webster lose his house seat just as he's running for Speaker?"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20151010231635/http://hotair.com/archives/2015/10/10/could-dan-webster-lose-his-house-seat-just-as-hes-running-for-speaker/
  82. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/us/politics/daniel-webster-freedom-caucus-republicans-house-speaker.html
  83. "Chaffetz enters speaker's race, pans McCarthy"
    https://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/jason-chaffetz-speaker-mccarthy-republicans-boehner-214404
  84. "Most Texas Republicans backing Paul Ryan for House speaker"
    http://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/20151022-most-texas-republicans-backing-paul-ryan-for-house-speaker.ece
  85. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/09/us/politics/house-speaker-vote.html
  86. "Gingrich open to return to Speakership"
    https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/256433-gingrich-open-to-return-to-speakership/
  87. The Washington Times
    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/oct/8/newt-gingrich-open-to-house-speaker-run-after-kevi/
  88. "Mike Pompeo won't rule out running for speaker"
    http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/prairie-politics/article38991225.html
  89. "Pompeo considering race for speaker"
    http://www.agri-pulse.com/Pompeo-considers-speaker-run-10162015.asp
  90. "Zinke says he is considering running for House Speaker"
    https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/zinke-says-he-is-considering-running-for-house-speaker/article_f7b3e1ac-e882-5652-9f2e-8bd1d421f751.html
  91. "House Speaker Race – Marsha Blackburn, Peter Roskam, Dark Horses"
    http://www.nationalreview.com/article/425390/marsha-blackburn-peter-roskam-house-speaker-race
  92. Marsha Blackburn says Speaker job not on her 'to-do list' Archived December 11, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, WSMV (Octo
    http://www.wsmv.com/story/30262805/marsha-blackburn-says-speaker-job-not-on-her-to-do-lis
  93. The Hill
    https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/255353-gowdy-says-he-wont-run/
  94. iPR Newswire
    https://archive.today/20151011012116/http://iprnewswire.com/texas-conservative-jeb-hensarling-wont-run-for-house-speaker/
  95. "Tom Price gets support, Cathy McMorris Rodgers is out"
    http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/28/politics/jeb-hensarling-house-majority-leader/
  96. Kevin P. Craver, U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam says he won't run for House speaker, Northwest Herald (October 13, 2015).
    http://www.nwherald.com/2015/10/13/u-s-rep-peter-roskam-says-he-wont-run-for-house-speaker/a4ez6zv/
  97. Katherine Skiba, Rep. Roskam could vie again for GOP leadership post as Boehner exits, Chicago Tribune (September 26, 20
    http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-roskam-after-boehner-quits-met-0925-20150925-story.html
  98. "Steve Scalise: Next speaker of the House?"
    http://www.wrno.com/articles/local-news-135361/steve-scalise-next-speaker-of-the-14019930/
  99. "Two Republican Women from Tennessee talked up for Speaker race"
    http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/politics/national/story/2015/oct/12/two-republican-women-tennessee-talked-us-house-speaker-job/330067/
  100. "Could a Tennessean be the next Speaker"
    http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/30240643/could-a-tennessean-be-the-next-speaker-of-the-house
  101. "Rep. Mike Kelly Considers House Speaker Bid"
    http://www.erietvnews.com/story/30310025/rep-mike-kelly-considers-run-for-house-speaker
  102. "Representative Mike Kelly May Run for House Speaker"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110433/http://www.yourerie.com/news/local-news/representative-mike-kelly-may-run-for-house-speaker
  103. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/30/us/politics/paul-ryan-set-to-take-over-as-speaker-hoping-to-manage-the-chaos.html
  104. Cong. Rec.
    https://www.congress.gov/crec/2015/10/29/CREC-2015-10-29.pdf
  105. Cong. Rec.
    https://www.congress.gov/crec/2015/10/29/CREC-2015-10-29.pdf
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