House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) will endorse speaker hopeful Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) when the California Republican declares for the post, Politico reported.
“Whip Scalise’s focus remains on moving our conservative agenda forward and maintaining our Republican majority,” Scalise spokesman Chris Bond told the website. “When a Speaker’s race is called, he’ll be supporting Leader McCarthy.”
Scalise said Thursday that he wouldn't seek the position if Majority Leader McCarthy runs for it.
"I mean, I've never run against Kevin and wouldn't run against Kevin," the Louisiana Republican told Fox News, adding, "and he and I are good friends."
Scalise rose to national prominence while undergoing a dramatic recovery after being shot by a gunman during a morning softball practice last year.
He had expressed interest in the speakership in an interview with Politico last month, saying he "wouldn't rule it out," and has "shown interest in the past at moving up."
Ryan this week announced he's retiring from Congress at the end of his current term. Axios reported Wednesday that Ryan told confidants Scalise could be a likely candidate to fill the role.
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