Race For No. 4 GOP Spot Pits Tea Party vs. Established Washington GOP

The race for GOP Conference Chair is heating up as Reps. Jeb Hensarling and Michele Bachmann attempt to paint themselves as the true conservative representative of their party.

The Minnesota Republican's decision to challenge Hensarling (R-Texas) for the conference post has left the former Republican Study Committee (RSC) chairman fighting against being labeled the “establishment” candidate in the race.

Since declaring his candidacy on Wednesday morning, Hensarling, a member of GOP Whip Eric Cantor’s (R-Va.) deputy whip team, has collected a number of endorsements including Cantor, presumptive Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) and outgoing GOP Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.).

On Friday, however, Hensarling picked up a key endorsement from a lawmaker popular in the Tea Party movement.

Tennessee Rep. Marsha Blackburn endorsed Hensarling in his bid to become the fourth-highest ranking Republican in the 112th Congress. Blackburn chose to endorse Hensarling over Bachmann, and intends to whip up support for the former Republican Study Committee chairman, her spokesman said.

"Members casting a vote for Conference Chair aren't deciding which is the true conservative candidate. We are deciding which true conservative we trust to speak for us. Michele has brought great energy to our party and I know she will continue to do so. Jeb and I came to Congress together and we have enjoyed a productive collaboration for many years. I trust Jeb's knowledge, experience, and judgment when I vote for who will speak for me,” Blackburn said in a statement to The Hill.Read more here