Trump ally Kevin McCarthy tries lead shrunken House GOP

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is running to take over next year’s shrunken caucus in closed-door elections that will set the tone for the new Congress.

The race for minority leader is McCarthy’s to lose Wednesday. But the California Republican, who is an ally of President Donald Trump, must fend off a challenge from conservative Jim Jordan of Ohio. Jordan is a leader of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.

They two encountered questions and finger-pointing during a private meeting with lawmakers Tuesday night as the GOP sorted through the midterm defeat that put Democrats in the majority next year.

Elections Wednesday will also determine party leadership in the Senate.

Voting for the biggest race, Nancy Pelosi’s bid to return as the Democrats’ nominee for speaker, is later this month.