Illinois' Peter Roskam Loses Schock Value in GOP Whip Competition

The Republican is gunning for the third most powerful gig in the House

U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, a Republican from the Illinois 'burb of Wheaton, has lost a crucial ally in his bid to become the House majority whip following Eric Cantor's ouster.

Roskam's fellow GOP congressman Aaron Schock -- who reps Illinois' 18th district -- has decided instead to support Louisana Rep. Steve Scalise, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, and he might also bring the 16th district's Adam Kinzinger aboard as a Scalise supporter,Crain's Chicago Business reports.

Cantor resigned as majority leader this week after his eye-popping loss to tea partier Dave Brat in the Virginia primary.

With Republican whip Kevin McCarthy poised to replace Cantor, the No. 3 position is up for grabs. Indiana's Martin Stutzman is in the running alongside Scalise -- the frontrunner -- and Roskam, who has secured support from North Carolina's Richard Hudson and Florida's Steve Southerland.

Cantor will officially cede his throne on July 31 and his replacement -- as well as the new GOP whip -- will be chosen June 19.

A former Illinois state senator, Roskam has served in Congress since 2006 and is McCarthy's deputy whip, a position which surely offers him an edge. Scalise, however, packs much clout in the House thanks to his own high-ranking status.

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