GOP sets House elections for next week

House Republicans will hold leadership elections on Oct. 8 following Speaker John Boehner’s surprise announcement last week that he is resigning.

{mosads}“After consulting with our conference, a large majority of our members have made clear they want these elections held next week,” the Ohio Republican said in a Wednesday statement. “With their considerations in mind, the House leadership elections will take place on Thursday, October 8.”

In that closed-door election, the 247-member House GOP conference will nominate a new Speaker. Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is the favorite to win the nomination, but he’ll need to secure at least 218 votes on the full House floor to seize the Speaker’s gavel.

The floor vote to elect a new Speaker is expected at the end of October, according to a GOP leadership aide.

If McCarthy wins the nomination, House Republicans also would hold a race to replace him as majority leader, the No. 2 job in leadership.

And a race could be held for the No. 3 post if Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) wins the race for McCarthy’s current job.

—Updated at 1:25 p.m.