Speculation mounts about House GOP energy leadership

Former
Republican staffers said they see a several people as lead contenders
if Barton does not pursue that option. One is Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.),
ranking member of the committee’s Energy and Environment subpanel, and
one of the committee’s most-senior members. Another is Rep. Cliff
Stearns (R-Fla.), the ranking member of the House Communications
Subcommittee. Upton is the more-senior member and has raised more money
for GOP causes than Stearns, both general factors in how leadership
chooses committee chairmen. Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.), ranking member
of the Health Subcommittee, is also mentioned as a contender for the top
spot.

Of special consideration this year, according to former
staffers: Does the member have conservative cred? Leaders may want a
staunch Republican, and no fuzzy centrist, in the position in order to
make the committee a conservative bastion that will fight back against
Democratic initiatives such as the healthcare law. Of the three members
named above, Upton is the one most frequently honored or afflicted with
the designation “moderate.”

A steering committee of top
Republicans vote on the choice, and House Republican leader John Boehner
(Ohio) gets the most votes.