So, who is Self?

The 71-year representative is a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus and often votes closely in line with Roy and Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX) — also members of the Freedom Caucus who expressed disappointment in Johnson’s negotiations of the continuing resolutions. Those two voted for Johnson to be speaker despite initially remaining quiet when their names were called.

Self is serving in his second term, having been first elected in 2022. His predecessor, former Rep. Van Taylor, dropped out of the race after winning the Republican primary upon the revelation that he had an extramarital affair.

Before running for Congress, Self served as Collin County judge from 2006 to 2018. He assisted in cutting county taxes by 25% and reforming the pension system, according to his campaign biography. Self also retired from the Army with the rank of lieutenant general.

On economic issues, Self is a big proponent of cutting wasteful spending, and he has voted against raising the debt ceiling and the continuing resolutions, which were commitments made to win over Democratic House members to approve the new fiscal budget.

Johnson’s initial deal brokered with Democrats would have increased the debt ceiling and given them funds for different projects and government programs, frustrating Self.

Roy has applauded Self’s strong convictions in limited government.

“Keith Self is a rare commodity in Washington,” Roy said in a statement shared on Self’s campaign website. “As a freshman member of ‘The Patriot Twenty,’ Keith held firm to his principles and proved to be strategic in his thinking.”

Self also received an endorsement from President-elect Donald Trump, who gave a nod to Self’s policies on the military, border security, veterans, and the Second Amendment.

His primary focus is on “advancing the Trump agenda,” Self shared on X in defense of his initial choice not to vote for Johnson. He said after making his position clear that rank-and-file Republicans should be involved in reconciliation discussions that he decided to switch his vote.

“After receiving firm assurances from the Speaker, that Republicans in the House will have strong representation during the budget reconciliation process—a cornerstone of President Trump’s agenda—I changed my initial vote,” he wrote. “I appreciate Speaker Johnson addressing these critical issues.”

Both Self and Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) switched their votes in favor of Johnson after Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) took the pair aside on the House floor to have a phone conversation with Trump, according to Fox News.

Fox News host Bret Baier shared that Trump said, “It would be disrespectful to Americans who voted in an historic presidential election to have this speaker’s vote go to a second or third ballot.”

“And it would be disrespectful to me,” he reportedly added.

Self and Norman then changed their votes, bringing Johnson to the 218 votes he needed to lead as speaker of the House.