McCarthy Solidifies Support for House Majority Leader

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s (R-VA) “stunning 11-point primary loss to an unknown college professor on Tuesday night has tossed into motion a full-bore Republican leadership race in the middle of an election year,” Politico reports.

“The House is now in the throes of one of the most competitive contests in recent memory, one that will completely reorder the GOP hierarchy. Pent-up ambition is being unleashed. The intrigue is in full swing. Secret meetings are starting. Whip ballots are being passed out. Favors are being promised. And ambitious lawmakers, who long eyed top slots, are making their moves.”

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), “who Cantor helped groom, has already started to solidify his support for the majority leader job. He met with a close group of allies in the Capitol Wednesday afternoon. He was extremely confident about his prospects, and passed out whip sheets to help firm up votes. His allies were charged with three Republicans to persuade to support Cantor.”