By Bill Raack, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Southern Illinois Congressman John Shimkus (R-Collinsville) says he still has not decided who to support for House majority leader.
Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri is in a race with Ohio congressman John Boehner and John Shadegg of Arizona to replace embattled Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Shimkus says he wants to meet with House Speaker Dennis Hastert before committing to one of the candidates.
"They're all friends," Shimkus said Friday. "They all bring their strengths and their weaknesses. I don't think that there's a need to just clean house and have a whole new slate especially when you still have one year left in the session."
Winning the post requires 116 votes from House Republicans. Blunt said this weekend he has the needed support; but Boehner and Shadegg disputed that claim, saying they think the race is still competitive.