Rep. Trey Gowdy being recruited to run for House majority leader

House Select Committee on Benghazi Chairman Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C. (Susan Walsh, AP)

WASHINGTON — Rep. Trey Gowdy, the South Carolina Republican best known as chairman of the special House investigation into the Benghazi terrorist attacks, is a potential candidate for House majority leader.

Several of his fellow conservatives, including some who are close allies, are publicly recruiting Gowdy to go for the leadership slot.

Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, told Fox and Friends

“Trey Gowdy as majority leader would be heaven-sent,” Chaffetz said. “It would really propel Republicans in the right direction.”

Made my best pitch this morning on Made my best pitch this morning on Made my best pitch this morning on @FoxNews@TGowdySC

— Jason Chaffetz (@jasoninthehouse) September 29, 2015

The Republican leadership team has been scrambled since Speaker John Boehner of Ohio announced on Friday that he would resign at the end of October. Current Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy is a leading candidate to replace Boehner, so the race to fill McCarthy’s post is competitive. Candidates include Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, No. 3 on the leadership team, and Rep. Tom Price of Georgia, chairman of the House Budget Committee.

Gowdy has not announced his intention to campaign for any of the leadership slots, but conservative colleagues are publicly encouraging him.

Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, announced her support for Gowdy for majority leader on Twitter, asking her followers to help recruit him.

Join me in drafting Trey Gowdy for Majority Leader.

— Mia Love (@MiaBLove) September 29, 2015

A Gowdy spokeswoman said today that Gowdy is focused on his role as chairman of the special House committee investigating the 2012 terrorist attacks in Benghazi, Libya, and “will serve in that capacity so long as the committee exists.”

“He appreciates the confidence of his colleagues and looks forward to tonight’s conference discussion,” according to the statement.

House Republicans planned to meet Tuesday night to discuss the leadership elections, which could come as early as next week.