On Capitol Hill, two Republican leaders emerged Wednesday as top contenders to replace Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House, a day after his ouster by far-right Republicans brought Congress to a standstill. One contender is Ohio Congressmember Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee and leader of the far-right House Freedom Caucus. Former wrestlers at Ohio State University have accused Congressmember Jordan of failing to intervene as a team doctor sexually abused young men in the 1990s. Also announcing a run for the speaker’s gavel Wednesday was Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Reporter Stephanie Grace told The New York Times Congressmember Scalise once described himself to her as “like David Duke without the baggage,” referring to the former Klansman and white supremacist.
