A northern Illinois Congressman could move up in the House leadership as a result of Eric Cantor's defeat in the Virginia Primary. On Wednesday, Cantor announced he'll resign his position as Majority Leader at the end of July.
Two positions below him is Peter Roskam, of Wheaton, who's the Chief Deputy Whip. Roskam could replace the current Whip, Kevin McCarthy of California if McCarthy becomes Majority Leader.
NIU political scientist Matt Streb says this would be logical but there's a problem: red state lawmakers would be absent from the leadership.
"Boehner would still be Speaker from Ohio. You'd have a majority leader from California. Having someone from Illinois may not be attractive to part of the party. And so there's a push right now, even in the race against McCarthy, to get Red State leadership," Streb said.
Streb says Red State conservatives see themselves as pushing back against the establishment, and many of them see Roskam as part of the establishment.