Jeb Hensarling sees "green light" to run for leadership position in November

Indeed, some Republicans – even those who were unhappy with Thursday’s results – expressed skepticism that a shakeup could come later this year.

“This was our best shot to change leadership – not November,” said Rep. Justin Amash, who voted against Boehner in 2013 and whose closest friend in Congress, Rep. Raul Labrador, lost to McCarthy Thursday.

For “movement” conservatives – those aligned with the tea party and grassroots advocacy groups – the search for a candidate to vault into the top tier of House Republican leadership always narrows to two lawmakers: Hensarling and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. Both are considered ideologically pure. Both are former chairmen of the Republican Study Committee. And both are respected throughout the House GOP.

But Hensarling has two distinct advantages: He is southern, adding geographical diversity to a leadership team that lacked it until Scalise’s win Thursday; and he is considered more electable than Jordan in a conference-wide vote.