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Thursday, Jan 3, 2013 6:44 PM UTC

Boehner holds on to speaker post

Despite some defections, the Ohio congressman will serve another two years as speaker of the House

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Topics: John Boehner, Allen West, Colin Powell, House Republicans, Eric Cantor, Nancy Pelosi, Editor's Picks,

Boehner holds on to speaker postSpeaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, walks to a closed-door GOP caucus as Congress meets to negotiate a legislative path to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff" of automatic tax increases and deep spending cuts that could kick in Jan. 1., at the Capitol in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) (Credit: AP)

John Boehner squeaked by in a vote for speakership this afternoon, getting 220 votes of 426 cast, just  a handful of votes over the number needed to hang on to his seat.

There were, however, a total of 14 defections from both Boehner, and Nancy Pelosi, who got 192 votes.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Va., got three votes. Reps. Louie Gohmert, Texas, and Paul Broun, Ga., both cast votes for ousted Rep. Allen West, Fla.

Tim Huelskamp, Kan., one of the four conservatives Boehner ousted from his committee spot, cast a vote for Jim Jordan, Ohio. Dave Schweikert, Ariz., another one of those conservatives, did support Boehner.

Both Michael Grimm and Peter King of New York, who had been at odds with Boehner over Hurricane Sandy relief funding, both voted for the speaker to keep his seat.

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com. More Jillian Rayfield.

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