McCarthy met the gavel in dramatic fashion.

The marathon took 15 votes — and almost boiled down to a physical beatdown — but in the end, all the GOP members who had opposed Kevin McCarthy’s bid for House Speaker for months were overruled. And on Saturday morning, he took the position he had been dreaming of for years.

Unlike most of the week’s high-profile events, the evening had plenty of drama, with pro-McCarthy Rep. Mike Rogers physically restrained from Rep. Matt Gates after Friday night’s primary vote.

But McCarthy, a 57-year-old California lawmaker, has now become the 53rd speaker of the House, succeeding Democrat Nancy Pelosi. Even if he confirms the Speaker’s appointment, his concession to the House Freedom Caucus may reduce his authority. The size of the concessions and the fine details of the deal are not known.

After a dozen votes, McCarthy’s sights began to turn after Thursday night’s negotiations, in which he began to concede to demands from members of the Freedom Caucus. By noon Friday, he had won 14 of 20 GOP challengers, setting up his 14th vote of the week at 10 a.m., winning the remaining exits and passing 50 percent of the votes cast — McCarthy was taking no chances. Two Republicans who left D.C. due to disaster returned to add to the tally. Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado returned after a medical appointment, and Rep. Wesley Hunt, D-Texas, flew back after a layover. He’s gone Home from his wife and their premature son – who was in the neonatal intensive care unit.