Scalise Joins House GOP Leader Race; Houchin Targets McClain

Steve Scalise plans to run for House Republican leader, and a second leadership fight is already taking shape below him, according to CBS News' live coverage of the post-election fallout.

'We will need to be honest with ourselves about what happened,' Scalise wrote in announcing his plans. His bid comes as House Speaker Mike Johnson will not seek minority leader next year, per a source cited by CBS.

Rep. Jim Jordan, who has also moved toward a leadership post, called the election a 'staggering day for our Conference.' Separately, Rep. Erin Houchin is challenging Rep. Lisa McClain for Republican conference chair, CBS reported.

The scramble follows an election in which Democrats flipped at least 24 Republican-held House districts, with nine seats still uncalled by the AP as of late Wednesday, CNBC reports. Republicans' best remaining chances are mostly in two newly redrawn districts and Maine's 2nd District.

Leadership votes among House Republicans come after the dust settles on the final races. The conference will pick the team that has to hold the line against a Democratic majority — with the president's veto pen as the backstop.