While Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) announced his retirement only last month, a trio of Freedom Caucus members is eyeing his senior GOP seat on the Homeland Security Committee. Given Republicans’ strong hand heading into the midterms, whoever succeeds Katko is likely to chair the committee next year. But the Freedom Caucus contenders aren’t McCarthy’s only option to fill the open spot, and members of the Trump-aligned group seem to be on different pages about how hard to push for one of their own to assume the leadership role…

The final decision is a long way off, made by a GOP steering panel typically stocked with leadership allies, but Republicans are already jockeying to succeed Katko on Homeland Security. While Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) no longer serves on the panel, the new Freedom Caucus chief previously ran against Katko for the top committee spot in 2020 and now he says he will be “honored if I’m considered again.”

Two other current members of the Trump-aligned Freedom Caucus currently serve on the panel and are also laying the groundwork for their bid: Reps. Clay Higgins (R-La.) and Dan Bishop (R-N.C.). So far, Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.) is the only rank-and-file member outside of the conservative group who’s seeking the role. The veteran prosecutor said he’s already spoken to McCarthy to express interest.