Scalise touts fundraising prowess amid leadership race

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise is touting his fundraising prowess, as the GOP’s leadership heats up in the wake of Speaker John Boehner’s bombshell decision to resign next month.

The Louisiana Republican — among a handful of candidates seeking to succeed Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the odds-on favorite to become the next Speaker — has raised more than $5.7 million for himself and other GOP candidates this year, according to figures first obtained by The Hill.

The third quarter fundraising period doesn’t end for two more days, but Team Scalise is already huddling with supporters and donors at the Capitol Hill Club to talk about his money-raising success over the last three months. An estimated 115 people were expected to attend the event on Monday afternoon.

The Louisiana lawmaker brought more than $1 million into his coffers during the third quarter, and has raised a total of $3.5 million in 2015, according to his political team.

The haul includes money donated to his joint fundraising committee, his campaign account and his leadership PAC, the Eye of the Tiger PAC.

Members of leadership are expected to raise large sums for themselves and their colleagues in an effort to keep the other ranks of the party strong.

In 2015, Scalise has transferred $1.5 million to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and given nearly $700,000 to his fellow candidates from his own account.

But he’s also helped candidates and members raise money in their own districts.

During the August recess, Scalise hit the road and held fundraisers for 36 different members in 10 states.

Overall, he has helped raise $2.2 million for members and candidates over the last nine months at 146 political events, traveling to more than 50 cities in 25 states around the country.

“Since becoming a member of Congress, Whip Scalise has understood the importance of making sure the NRCC, his colleagues and candidates have the necessary resources they need to be victorious,” said Tyler Daniel, the political director at the Scalise Leadership Fund. “Scalise’s passion to maintain and grow the majority can be seen in his continued commitment to providing the tools needed for the team to win.”

Scalise is currently trying to shore up support among colleagues in a race for majority leader, the No. 2 spot in the House.

It’s part of a potential shakeup in leadership occurring following a the surprise announcement from Boehner (R-Ohio).

Scalise faces challenges from Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), the chairman of the House Budget Committee, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the chair of the House Republican Conference.

Speculation is swirling about which other GOPers may throw their hat into the ring, including Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), the former House Republican chief deputy whip and current chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight.