McCarthy, 53, has one declared challenger for minority leader, conservative Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, 54, though others could emerge. Steve Scalise, 53, the No. 3 House Republican, from Louisiana, deferred to McCarthy as the would-be speaker, but might try for the top minority role.
Some conservatives haven’t ruled out pushing Scalise or Jordan to run, but say they’re pessimistic that McCarthy can be beaten even though he’s a majority leader who lost the majority.
Republicans may choose their leaders as early as next week in closed-door voting.
This article provided by Bloomberg News.