Majority Leader race gets another candidate

West Chester Rep. John Boehner got another competitor for the job of House majority leader today.

Boehner and Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri are in a tight race to replace indicted former Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas.

On Friday, Arizona Rep. John Shadegg announced that too will vye for the No. 2 position in the House, under Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois.

In an interview this week with the Enquirer, Boehner said this about the possibility of Shadegg getting into the race:

"You know, there’s lots of people interested in getting in, but ... I’ve got commitments, Roy (Blunt) has commitments, it’d be very difficult at this point. But, who knows?"

In a news release sent out this morning, here's what Boehner said about Shadegg getting in:

"John is an important member of our Conference and a respected voice for reform. His entry into the Majority Leader race is further proof the Conference isn't happy with the status quo. Our Conference will only benefit from a truly open and competitive contest based on ideas, principles, and abilities, and I welcome him into the race. Between the two of us, we're going to make this race about reforming how the House does business and providing a real alternative to the status quo.

"I applaud his courage and sacrifice in making this run and look forward to seeing each of the other candidates' detailed plans for retaining and expanding our Republican majority. The campaign for House Majority Leader officially begins again today."

The election for the next House majority leader will be held behind closed doors on Feb. 2.