The loss by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor means House Republicans meet to choose new leadership this week. One of the most wide-open battles is the three-way fight for Majority Whip.
Rep. Rob Bishop is part of the group fighting to get Illinois Rep. Peter Roskam elected to the spot.
Politico says Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise is the leader, with Roskam close behind. Indiana Rep. Martin Stutzman is in third, but making the race interesting.
If Republicans choose Scalise, it would demonstrate hunger for a conservative red-state Southern lawmaker atop the party. Scalise has locked up the support of at least 100 colleagues.The party will maintain the status quo of leadership hailing from blue states if Roskam becomes the next whip. That dynamic frustrates many red-state lawmakers. Roskam is trying respond by building support from Southern Republicans. He’s also pledging to appoint a chief deputy whip from the South.
