Rep. Steve Scalise’s (right) declaration of support will put to rest speculation that he would in any way work against Rep. Kevin McCarthy, who in 2015 failed to garner the support needed to clinch the gavel. | Zach Gibson/Getty Images Scalise to back McCarthy for speaker

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise will endorse speaker hopeful Kevin McCarthy when the California Republican declares for the post, the Louisianan’s office told POLITICO.

“Whip Scalise’s focus remains on moving our conservative agenda forward and maintaining our Republican majority,” said Scalise spokesman Chris Bond. “When a Speaker’s race is called, he’ll be supporting Leader McCarthy.”


The declaration of support will put to rest speculation that Scalise would in any way work against his fellow leader, who failed in 2015 to garner the support needed to clinch the gavel. The whip two weeks ago expressed interest in being speaker someday, infuriating McCarthy’s camp — even though he said emphatically that he wouldn’t run against McCarthy should he seek the position.

Scalise’s allies have told him to be ready to run lest conservatives block McCarthy from the speakership. Some Republicans, however, have speculated that Scalise might change his mind and run anyway, noting that he’s leapfrogged more senior members in previous leadership races.

Scalise’s support comes after Speaker Paul Ryan has twice suggested in TV interviews that his entire leadership team — including Scalise — had endorsed McCarthy.

Scalise, in fact, had not done so.

Ryan announced on Wednesday he is retiring from Congress at the end of his current term.

