Mike Lee is marching forward in his quest to become the fourth-ranked Republican in the Senate, but party leaders may balk at his bid.
Lee is running for the Republican Policy Committee chairman spot, currently held by Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, however, has said Barrasso can remain in his position until 2018 because of party rules.
"I have no interest running against John Barrasso for this or anyone else. I am interested in running for the open seat Republican Policy chair,"
Lee told Politico in an interview Wednesday.
The unofficial rule McConnell is citing, according to Politico, states that the three conference chairs in party leadership — Republican Conference Chairman John Thune (No. 3), Barrasso (No. 4), and Republican Conference Vice Chairman Roy Blunt (No. 5) — are allowed to serve three, two-year terms.
Republican Secretary Laura Dove told members at Tuesday's caucus lunch Barrasso can serve in one more two-year term.
Lee disagrees and thinks he is eligible to run and win the chairmanship.
The 44-year-old Lee, who took office in 2011, is part of a younger generation of lawmakers making their way onto Capitol Hill. He has
endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for president and said last month
"there are too many unanswered questions" regarding Donald Trump as the real estate mogul tries to win the Republican presidential nomination.
If Trump wins the presidency,
one report claimed he could nominate Lee to the Supreme Court if some conservatives have their way.
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