WASHINGTON — Idaho Rep. Raúl Labrador is actively mulling a run for House majority leader, The Daily Caller has learned.
“He’s getting a lot of encouragement from other members,” said a source familiar with Labrador’s thinking.
The Idaho Republican’s consideration of a campaign comes as conservatives are scrambling to find an alternative to run against California Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who is viewed as the current frontrunner. Texas Rep. Pete Sessions is also angling for the job.
Some conservative lawmakers are also asking Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, the former chairman of the Republican Study Committee, to reconsider his decision not to run.
Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling announced Thursday that he will not enter the contest.
After his surprising lost in his Republican primary on Tuesday night, Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor announced on Wednesday afternoon that he plans to step down as majority leader next month, though he will serve out the rest of his congressional term.
Speaker of the House John Boehner said the elections to replace Cantor will take place next Thursday — something conservatives like King are arguing is an unfair advantage to McCarthy, the majority whip.
Labrador, who often speaks out about immigration reform, was elected to the House in 2010. He has clashed with the establishment before, voting against John Boehner as speaker in 2013.