Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise Enters Speaker Race

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) has formally entered the race the become the next Speaker of the House of Representatives. With the announcement, Scalise sets up a contest with conservative Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH) who formally submitted his candidacy in a letter to colleagues earlier today.

• Scalise said in his letter to colleagues: "Our debt will cripple our grandchildren. Our border is wide open and must be secured. Our energy supply is being willingly depleted. Crime is surging, our cities are being destroyed, and drugs are flowing into our communities from Biden’s open border."
• "Now, more than ever, we must mend the deep wounds that exist within our Conference... It is with that sense of responsibility and purpose that I am seeking the Conference’s nomination for Speaker of the House."
• Although more conservative than former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Scalise is seen as a continuity candidate who has held leadership positions within the conference: "You know my leadership style I’ve displayed as your Majority Leader and Whip. I have a proven track record of bringing together the diverse array of viewpoints within our Conference to build consensus where others thought it impossible."
• Working against him: He is part of the leadership team which has failed to effectively manage the caucus and is currently undergoing treatment for cancer which raises questions over his ability to undertake such a physically demanding job.