Craig Goldman

Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Craig Goldman of Texas and Jeff Hurd of Colorado are set to give nominating speeches for Louisiana Rep. Steve Scalise’s leadership bid this afternoon, according to a person familiar with the plans. Diaz-Balart and Hurd are considered more moderate House Republicans, and both narrowly won reelection last week. Scalise is making the case he is better positioned than hard-right rival Jim Jordan to lead the GOP back to the majority. “I can go to the most ruby-red or the most swing district,” Scalise said leaving the candidate forum. “We’re going to have to go back to those swing districts we lost, and we’ll get those back.”