Steve Scalise selected as GOP nominee for speaker

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) will be the Republican nominee for speaker, defeating Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) in a simple majority vote in a closed-door meeting on Wednesday.

The speakership vote is expected to head to the House floor as early as Wednesday afternoon, when Scalise will need at least 217 votes to become speaker. Democrats are expected to nominate House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), meaning the election will come down to a party-line vote.

Although Scalise secured the nomination, it also does not ensure other members won’t nominate Jordan for the speakership — possibly setting the stage for a multiround election like the one lawmakers experienced in January, when it took Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) 15 rounds to secure the leadership position.

There are already at least three GOP members who have indicated they will vote for someone other than Scalise for speaker. He can only afford to lose four votes.