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)