Cline loses an election

Axios reports:

Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) was elected to serve as the next chairman of the Republican Study Committee on Friday, edging out Rep. Ben Cline (R-Va.) in an 80-57 vote.

Why it matters: The position has served as a springboard to bigger roles for numerous House Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), former Vice President Mike Pence (R-Ind.) and Sen.-elect Jim Banks (R-Ind.).

May this be a precedent for the 2026 election in the Sixth District of Virginia.