Fifteen Democrats voted against returning Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiOklahoma man who videotaped himself with his feet on desk in Pelosi's office during Capitol riot released on bond House formally sends impeachment to Senate, putting Trump on trial for Capitol riot With another caravan heading North, a closer look at our asylum law MORE to the Speaker's chair on Thursday, short of the dozens who originally pledged to oppose her return to power.
The defectors, nearly all freshman lawmakers, didn't all cast their votes for a single alternative candidate.
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Three Democrats, Rep. Jim Cooper
Jim CooperFive centrist Democrats oppose Pelosi for Speaker in tight vote Pelosi wins Speakership for fourth time in dramatic vote LIVE COVERAGE: House votes to name Speaker MORE (Tenn.) and freshman lawmakers Elissa Slotkin
Elissa SlotkinFive centrist Democrats oppose Pelosi for Speaker in tight vote Pelosi wins Speakership for fourth time in dramatic vote LIVE COVERAGE: House votes to name Speaker MORE (Mich.) and Jeff Van Drew
Jeff Van DrewSunday shows preview: Riots roil Washington as calls for Trump's removal grow NJ Republican pushes for Ways and Means seat a year after switching parties Here are the Republicans planning to challenge the Electoral College results MORE (N.J.), voted "present," which allowed them to avoid casting a vote in favor of Pelosi without endorsing an actual alternative.



Indeed, Pelosi's critics' efforts were hampered last year in large part because they failed to present a candidate who could serve as Speaker instead.
But a handful of freshman Democrats in swing districts who promised to oppose Pelosi on the campaign trail followed through on Thursday.
Lawmakers can vote for anyone as Speaker, which left defectors room to cast their votes for people outside of Congress.
Incoming freshman Anthony Brindisi (D-N.Y.) cast a vote for former Vice President Joe Biden
Joe BidenBudowsky: A Biden-McConnell state of emergency summit DC might win US House vote if it tries Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman inks deal with IMG Models MORE. Rep. Kathleen Rice
Kathleen Maura RiceTensions running high after gun incident near House floor Trust between lawmakers reaches all-time low after Capitol riots Trump's Georgia call triggers debate on criminal penalties MORE (D-N.Y.), a top Pelosi critic, cast a vote for Stacey Abrams, who lost her competitive race for Georgia governor in November.


Other defectors voted for current members of Congress.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth
Ladda (Tammy) Tammy DuckworthOvernight Defense: Austin takes helm at Pentagon | COVID-19 briefing part of Day 1 agenda | Outrage over images of National Guard troops in parking garage National Guard back inside Capitol after having been moved to parking garage Senate approves waiver for Biden's Pentagon nominee MORE (D-Ill.), an Iraq War veteran, drew two votes from freshman lawmakers Jason CrowJason CrowThe GOP is in a fix: Gordian knot or existential crisis? Thousands of troops dig in for inauguration Sixth House Republican backs Trump impeachment MORE (D-Colo.) and Max Rose
Max RoseOvernight Defense: Austin takes helm at Pentagon | COVID-19 briefing part of Day 1 agenda | Outrage over images of National Guard troops in parking garage Austin sworn in as nation's first Black Pentagon chief We lost in November — we're proud we didn't take corporate PAC money MORE (D-N.Y.).


The incoming chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Rep. Cheri Bustos
Cheryl (Cheri) Lea BustosFive centrist Democrats oppose Pelosi for Speaker in tight vote LIVE COVERAGE: House votes to name Speaker AOC v. Pelosi: Round 12? MORE (Ill.), drew votes from freshman lawmakers Joe Cunningham
Joseph CunninghamWe lost in November — we're proud we didn't take corporate PAC money Chamber of Commerce slams GOP effort to challenge Biden's win Coalition of 7 conservative House Republicans says they won't challenge election results MORE (S.C.), Jared Golden (Maine), Mikie Sherrill
Rebecca (Mikie) Michelle SherrillCalls grow for 9/11-style panel to probe Capitol attack Do Democrats really want unity? Belfast's Troubles echo in today's Washington MORE (N.J.) and Abigail Spanberger
Abigail Davis SpanbergerHillicon Valley: Intelligence agency gathers US smartphone location data without warrants, memo says | Democrats seek answers on impact of Russian hack on DOJ, courts | Airbnb offers Biden administration help with vaccine distribution House lawmakers reintroduce bipartisan bill to weed out foreign disinformation on social media 'I saw my life flash before my eyes': An oral history of the Capitol attack MORE (Va.).




Rep. Kurt Schrader
Walter (Kurt) Kurt SchraderWhy are millions still flowing into the presidential inauguration? Democrats poised to impeach Trump again Five centrist Democrats oppose Pelosi for Speaker in tight vote MORE (D-Ore.) voted for Rep. Marcia Fudge
Marcia FudgeThis week: Senate stuck in limbo On The Money: Treasury announces efforts to help people get stimulus payments | Senate panel unanimously advances Yellen nomination for Treasury | Judge sets ground rules for release of Trump taxes Biden's inauguration marked by conflict of hope and fear MORE (D-Ohio), a former Congressional Black Caucus chairwoman who contemplated challenging Pelosi for Speaker. But Fudge decided against a bid and ultimately voted for Pelosi on Thursday.


Pelosi won the support of many of her critics by agreeing last month to serve no more than four more years as the House Democratic leader. Under the terms of the agreement, Democratic leaders would be limited to three two-year terms.
But each leader could serve another term if they secure support from two-thirds of the Democratic caucus. The deal applies retroactively to include the two terms that Pelosi previously served as Speaker from 2007 through 2011.
Below is a full list of the 15 Democratic defectors:
Anthony Brindisi (N.Y.): former Vice President Joe Biden
Jim Cooper (Tenn.): "present"
Jason Crow (Colo.): Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)
Joe Cunningham (S.C.): Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.)
Jared Golden (Maine): Bustos
Ron Kind
Ronald (Ron) James KindFive centrist Democrats oppose Pelosi for Speaker in tight vote Pelosi wins Speakership for fourth time in dramatic vote LIVE COVERAGE: House votes to name Speaker MORE (Wis.): Rep. John Lewis
John LewisThe Hill's Morning Report - Biden takes office, calls for end to 'uncivil war' Harris now 'the most influential woman' in American politics Georgia Democrat introduces bill to bar Trump from Capitol after term ends MORE (D-Ga.)


Conor Lamb (Pa.): Rep. Joe Kennedy
Joseph (Joe) Patrick KennedyFive centrist Democrats oppose Pelosi for Speaker in tight vote LIVE COVERAGE: House votes to name Speaker Government spending bill to include bipartisan energy provisions MORE III (D-Mass.)

Ben McAdams (Utah): Rep. Stephanie Murphy
Stephanie MurphyLawmakers move to oust extremists from military Democrats seize on GOP donor fallout Lobbying world MORE (D-Fla.)

Kathleen Rice (N.Y.): Democratic Georgia gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams
Max Rose (N.Y.): Duckworth
Kurt Schrader (Ore.): Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio)
Mikie Sherrill (N.J.): Bustos
Abigail Spanberger (Va.): Bustos
Elissa Slotkin (Mich.) "present"
Jeff Van Drew (N.J.): "present"