Majority Leader Steve Scalise is reaching out to members to gauge whether they would support him for speaker, according to three people familiar with the conversations.
While Scalise had asserted he would support McCarthy if he ran again, it was an open secret that the two had a strained relationship and the Louisianan was interested in the top job. And some members are already signaling they would back his bid.
“Steve Scalise is our leader. If he wants it, then I think that it’s likely that he will be the leader — the speaker nominee,” said Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.).
Scalise’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Scalise, in office since 2008, has been a reliable conservative voice while in office, championing issues like energy development and stricter border policies. He’s steadily risen through the ranks of House GOP leadership, assuming the second-highest position this Congress. He’s spoken warmly of former President Donald Trump, but has yet to endorse his 2024 presidential bid.
The Louisiana Republican is currently battling cancer and undergoing treatment. Lately he’s been wearing a mask around the Capitol, citing his diagnosis.
