Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Washington Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers was elected by the House Republican conference as its chair for the upcoming Congress, reports Jill Jackson of CBS News. McMorris Rodgers, who defeated Georgia congressman Tom Price for the position, will rank fourth in the House leadership. Price had significant support from House conservatives like Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Jeb Hensarling of Texas, but McMorris Rodgers was understood to be the favorite of most of the Republican leadership team.

House Republicans picked other leaders Wednesday afternoon, reelecting Eric Cantor of Virginia for majority leader and Kevin McCarthy of California for majority whip. Greg Walden of Oregon was elected to run the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House Republicans' campaign arm, while sophomore James Lankford of Oklahoma was selected for policy chair.

Given the GOP retained its majority in the House, Speaker John Boehner is expected to win reelection when the body convenes in January.