Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) said he and “a number of my colleagues” are uncommitted on who to support during the speaker election Friday, even as many lawmakers consider Johnson a “good friend.” Several Republicans are upset with how the speaker handled government spending negotiations earlier this month, according to Roy, leaving them to wonder if Johnson is the best option to pursue Trump’s agenda.

“We saw so many of the failures last year that we are concerned about that might limit or inhibit our ability to advance the president’s agenda,” Roy told Fox Business on Tuesday. 

Before lawmakers can be sworn in Friday, they must elect a speaker to preside over the chamber. On that day, Republicans will have a 219-215 majority, meaning Johnson can only afford to lose one party member’s support if all members are present and vote.

“Right now, I don’t believe that he has the votes on Friday, and I think we need to have the conference get together so that we can get united,” said Roy. 

Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA), who also remains undecided, said there are about 10 lawmakers “who are leaning” — enough to tank Johnson’s bid if they all vote for other candidates. 

“We have decisions to be making, and we have to discuss with each other,” McCormick told NewsNation. “And what that means is we want reassurances.” 

It’s not clear who Johnson’s defectors would choose as an alternative, and no Republicans have come out to say they would challenge him. However, names being floated among some corners of the GOP conference include House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH), according to one lawmaker. All three ran for speaker in October 2023 after former Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s ouster.

Although Roy did not commit to voting for another candidate, he cited both Donalds and Jordan as viable candidates. 

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) was the first House Republican to come out against Johnson publicly, telling reporters earlier this month he would vote for someone else, although he did not say who. Massie has remained opposed to Johnson even after Trump’s endorsement, accusing him of working with Democrats to advance priorities opposed by most Republicans. 

“I respect and support President Trump, but his endorsement of Mike Johnson is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan,” Massie said in a post on X. “We’ve seen Johnson partner with the democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and blow the budget.”

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) has also remained undecided. 

“I haven’t publicly or privately committed yet,” Biggs told Fox News on Monday. “I do want to speak with the speaker just to see what his plans are because there are some issues that I think need to be worked out.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) also said she is undecided and released a list of demands she wants to see from Johnson before she can commit her support. Included on the list are “temporary structures” for reconciliation offset policies, authorizations, and spending audits.

Johnson has been making phone calls and reaching out to lawmakers who have expressed skepticism about his speakership bid in an effort to firm up support before Friday, a source familiar with the matter told the Washington Examiner. 

Johnson told Fox News on Tuesday that he believes he has the votes to secure the gavel, especially after Trump’s endorsement the day before. However, a dragged-out race could test the president-elect’s grasp on the Republican Party. 

Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) said that while he supports Johnson’s speakership bid, he would “change my mind” if Trump rescinded his endorsement. However, he told Fox Business, “I’m a very independent person, so I get it. I get [why] members of Congress want to express their individual viewpoint.”