A pair of influential Republicans backed Rep. Tom Price for Majority Leader on Monday, dealing a blow to other conservatives vying for the leadership position.
House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan mentioned his “good friend” Price in a statement out Monday, just hours after Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling decided against a bid and instead backed the Georgia Republican.
“Tom has a proven record of advancing conservative solutions and principles. He has the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective Majority Leader, and I’m proud to support him,” Ryan said.
The back-to-back endorsements are bad news for Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington who are both in the running for the position.
Hensarling spokeswoman Sarah Hozier said Monday that Hensarling, who has previously chaired the House Republican Conference, made his decision “after prayerful consideration.”
Hensarling developed a reputation as a fiscal conservative shortly after he was first elected in 2002. He was picked to lead the conservative Republican Study Committee in 2006, a group of House Republicans who gained greater prominence following the tea party wave of 2010.
House Speaker John Boehner’s surprise announcement last Friday that he was retiring has spurred a round of jockeying among Republicans for leadership spots throughout the chamber.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is quickly locking down support in the speaker’s race, but the races for a series of other leadership posts — including majority leader and whip — are expected to be competitive.