Emmer, a key ally of McCarthy, joined Congress in 2015 and served for two terms as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, which works to elect Republicans to the House. He won a three-way race for majority whip in November, making him the No. 3 House Republican.
The House Freedom Caucus and other members with similar ideologies were crucial to Emmer’s win in that race. He is close with Republican Reps. Andy Biggs (Ariz.), a previous chair of the Freedom Caucus, and Gaetz.
Emmer’s name was floated last week by Republicans plotting to oust McCarthy. Those members believe Emmer would be more attuned to their concerns than McCarthy was and will get them more conservative outcomes.
Before McCarthy was thrown out, Emmer said he wasn’t interested in the job. Now that the post is vacant, Emmer has said he believes Scalise would make a great speaker.
