Back on the Boehner, Blunt front

Missouri Republican Roy Blunt claimed to be nearing the number of supporters needed to lock up the House Majority Leader race.

He issued a statement Thursday saying he has more than 100 backers in the race, prompting West Chester Republican John Boehner to claim he has the support of 86 lawmakers.

With 231 Republicans in the 435-member House, Boehner or Blunt needs just 116 votes to declare victory.

All that and Arizona Republican John Shadegg was getting closer to deciding whether he’ll jump into the race, which will be decided during a secret vote on Feb. 2.

The winner would replace outgoing Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas, who was indicted last year on campaign finance charges.