Steve Scalise picks Patrick McHenry as chief deputy whip
By Lauren French and John Bresnahan
Politico
Thursday, June, 26, 2014

In addition to picking McHenry as his top deputy, Scalise named his "Senior Deputy Whip Team." This group includes GOP Reps. Kristi Noem (S.D.), Dennis Ross (Fla.), Aaron Schock (Ill.), Steve Stivers (Ohio) and Ann Wagner (Mo.).

Incoming House Majority Whip Steve Scalise has tapped Rep. Patrick McHenry as his chief deputy majority whip.

McHenry, a North Carolina Republican, was elected in 2004. He was a key player in Scalise’s successful attempt to defeat Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) for the majority whip post. Roskam had been chief deputy whip under Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who is moving up to majority leader.

“I look forward to working with [McHenry] on behalf of the Republican Conference to advance the conservative values and principles that unite us and move America forward,” Scalise said in a statement.

McHenry also served on the Republican whip team under McCarthy.

“His previous role as deputy Republican whip gives him the invaluable experience, insight and judgment to help me lead the Whip Team and bring the conference together to grow the vote,” Scalise said.

Speaker John Boehner praised Scalise’s choice of McHenry, calling McHenry “a common-sense conservative who does a great job for the people of North Carolina, and I welcome him to the leadership team.”

In addition to picking McHenry as his top deputy, Scalise named his “Senior Deputy Whip Team.” This group includes GOP Reps. Kristi Noem (S.D.), Dennis Ross (Fla.), Aaron Schock (Ill.), Steve Stivers (Ohio) and Ann Wagner (Mo.).

Schock, Wagner and Stivers had all been considered potential selections for chief deputy whip. Scalise repeatedly denied that he had made any deals with these members for chief deputy whip.

McHenry, 38, has been politically active since he was a teenager; he ran for the North Carolina legislature while still a junior in college.

After getting a history degree from Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina, McHenry worked for President George W. Bush’s 2000 run for the White House as national coalitions director. McHenry then received an appointment as special assistant to former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao.

McHenry went back home to North Carolina and won a seat in the state legislature in 2002.

In 2004, McHenry, only 29, ran for Congress and won.

He has seats on the Financial Services and Oversight and Government Reform committees.