House Speaker John Boehner is declining to take sides in the contest to replace Rep. Eric Cantor as House majority leader.

He’s also saying it remains unclear whether Cantor lost his Republican primary this week because of voter dissatisfaction with efforts to revamp immigration laws.

In a news conference Thursday, Boehner was asked if he would endorse Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the California Republican running to replace Cantor as leader. McCarthy is the GOP whip, the party’s No. 3 leader.

Boehner said he could work with whoever House Republicans elect as leader next Thursday. Running against McCarthy is Texas GOP Rep. Pete Sessions.

Boehner also contested a question about whether Cantor lost because of immigration. Cantor’s victorious opponent, Dave Brat, accused Cantor of favoring amnesty for immigrants in the U.S. illegally.

(AP)