Steve Scalise speaker bid in trouble as he struggles to nail down support in his own state

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) is one of the leading candidates to become the next speaker of the House of Representatives, but a new report from Punchbowl News suggests his bid may already be in trouble.

At the heart of the matter is the fact that Scalise has had trouble locking up votes even from members from his home state of Louisiana, as many members of congress from that state also have close relationships with speakership rival Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH).

"Jim and Steve are both like brothers to me,” Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) told the publication. “So I’ve told them I’m really struggling.”

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"They’re both dear friends and I think that the country and the world is in a better place once the Republican Conference unites behind one of those men," hardliner Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA) similarly explained.

In fact, Scalise so far has only nailed down the support of one Louisiana Republican so far: Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA).

In contrast, Jordan, who also has the backing of former President Donald Trump, has lined up endorsements from multiple Ohio Republicans, suggesting he could have an early advantage as the struggle for the House GOP to elect a new speaker takes shape.