Boehner appears safe, despite losses

A day after House Republicans suffered a 19-seat loss, two members of their leadership team will not run again — and neither of them is Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio).

Boehner announced early Wednesday morning that he would once again seek to lead members of the House Republican Conference in the 111th Congress.

{mosads}And despite widespread speculation that his job would be in serious jeopardy if the House sustained heavy losses, no Boehner challenger had emerged at press time.

The same was not true for Minority Whip Roy Blunt (Mo.), who will announce his decision to step down from the second-ranking GOP slot, according to several sources familiar with Blunt’s decision.

It was not clear on Wednesday when Blunt would make his decision official.

“It certainly is interesting how those who were not on the phone seem to think they know what was said,” said Blunt spokeswoman Antonia Ferrier. “We prefer to allow private conversations to remain just that: private. Mr. Blunt is considering his options on his own terms.”

Blunt’s departure will clear the way for his deputy, Rep. Eric Cantor (Va.), whose staff confirmed his run for the position on Wednesday afternoon.

Cantor spokesman Rob Collins said Cantor and Blunt had a discussion Wednesday morning, but declined to describe the nature of that conversation.

Two sources familiar with the call said it was during this conversation that Blunt told Cantor he would not seek the leadership post for a fourth term.

Cantor was widely believed to be the only member of the House Republican Conference who could mount a legitimate challenge to Boehner.

Asked why he decided against challenging Boehner, Collins said, “Eric has been the No. 2 whip for six years. It’s a natural progression.”

Conference Chairman Adam Putnam (Fla.) also announced his departure from the leadership table this week, sending out a letter to colleagues late Tuesday night as results from some races were still coming in.

Sources close to Putnam said it was unlikely that he was forced out and that he was more interested in a possible run for statewide office than in ascending higher in House Republican circles.

“Upon becoming Chairman, I endeavored to make Conference an agile, expert and real-time communications and legislative arm, one that would serve our Members and drive our message both inside and outside the Beltway,” Putnam said in his letter. “I am confident that Conference will be well-positioned to win a vigorous debate with congressional Democrats under our next Chairman.”

Early Wednesday, Republican Study Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) announced he will seek Putnam’s position.

However, Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) will also likely launch a bid for the same post and it is doubtful that Hensarling would run against Pence because of their close relationship. Pence’s office could not be immediately reached for comment.

{mospagebreak}Boehner, Blunt, Cantor and Putnam attracted varying degrees of criticism for their votes in favor of the $700 billion bill to assist ailing financial institutions. Hensarling was adamantly opposed to the proposal from the outset, which could help him in his leadership bid.

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) has also reportedly expressed interest in the post, according to reports.

Races are also shaping up further down the leadership ticket. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) announced Wednesday he will challenge House Republican Conference Policy Committee Chairman Thaddeus McCotter (Mich.).

{mosads}Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) announced in September he would seek the position held by National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole (Okla.). Cole, who beat Sessions for the NRCC post two years ago, will reportedly run again for the position despite his tumultuous tenure at the committee.

 Some top staff and members believe that the position should be selected by the leader rather than elected by the full GOP conference — as it was before the 1998 elections.

The change would require a vote by the entire Republican Conference. A meeting concerning leadership structure is scheduled for Nov. 17, when Boehner will turn 59.

Boehner and Cole have clashed over the last couple of years about Cole’s leadership of the NRCC.

 Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said any decisions that require the approval of the Republican Conference would be best discussed by members.

 “As he generally does on matters involving significant changes to conference rules, Rep. Boehner defers to the members and their collective judgment,” said Steel. “It’s not up to him to decide, and for him to weigh in on any such proposal without prior discussion with the conference would be inappropriate.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) announced she would not run to retain her Conference vice chair post.