Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., told a conference call of supporters early Sunday evening that he has enough votes to win the race for House majority leader outright.
Scalise is facing Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga.
Scalise has over 140 committed votes, while Price has only 50, CQ Roll Call reports. The threshold for victory is 124 votes.
Scalise’s victory would signal a relatively clean leadership succession following Speaker John Boehner’s resignation. Scalise is already the No. 3 Republican in the House, and would be moving up to No. 2.
Current House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., is favored to become the next speaker. He is facing off against Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Fla., and a late entrant, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah.
There is speculation that the scheduled leadership election for next week could be delayed by outgoing Speaker Boehner. Scalise addressed that in the call, and indicated he opposed a delay.
Any delay could hurt the front-runner, as he could have to grapple with the possibility of defections.
