John Boehner secretly encouraged Tea Party-backed Trey Gowdy to run for House majority leader

Outgoing House Speaker John Boehner, who announced last week that he'll resign at the end of October, is widely expected to be replaced as speaker by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). And while Boehner has not publicly endorsed a candidate for the new House majority leader who would replace McCarthy, it sounds like he has a favorite. As reported by Politico, Boehner met in secret with Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) on Tuesday to encourage him to jump into the race; Gowdy, however, publicly stated he was not interested later in the day.

As The Washington Post explains, "Gowdy is a member of the Republican class of 2010, sent to Washington in a wave election fueled by Tea Party groups and other conservative activists outraged over ObamaCare. His ascension to leadership would mark a generational milestone in a GOP caucus where well over half of members have served three terms or less."

Gowdy's popularity with the Tea Party could have been a boon for McCarthy. "Many Republicans close to Boehner and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy believe Gowdy could help protect the California Republican's right flank," Politico reports.

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With Gowdy out, the race for the majority leader spot appears to be a contest between House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) — unless Republicans succeed in drafting another candidate.