The battle to replace former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Ca.) is nowhere close to a resolution after the Republican party's nominee, Steve Scalise (La.), withdrew his bid in a stunning development Thursday evening.

Scalise had spent the day attempting to whip votes for his bid, but he relented after hitting a brick wall.

The number two House Republican had barely won the support of Republicans a day earlier, with 113 voting for him - far fewer than the 217 votes he needed to become Speaker.

Scalise drops out

With all Democrats opposed to Scalise, he could only lose a few Republicans.

He was unable to unify the party, with some staying loyal to his main challenger Jim Jordan (Oh.), a close Trump ally who received the former president's endorsement. Some, including Trump, questioned if Scalise could do the job after he was diagnosed with blood cancer.

After a day of heated talks, Scalise finally conceded defeat Thursday night.

"I was very clear we have to have everybody put their agendas on the side and focus on what this country needs this country is counting on us," Scalise said.

"But there's some folks that really need to look in the mirror over the next couple of days and decide are we going to get it back on track, or they're going to try to pursue their own agenda," he said.

Path forward uncertain

All Democrats are backing Hakeem Jeffries (D-Ny.), who led his party to oust McCarthy last week after Matt Gaetz (R-Fl.) triggered a motion to vacate.

Gaetz, who was slammed by some for sacking McCarthy without a plan, had backed Scalise, saying he was a major upgrade - but now Scalise is out, and it's unclear what comes next.

McCarthy has launched a stealth campaign to reclaim the gavel in light of the violence in Israel, which has created new pressure for unified leadership in Washington.

Democrats are leveraging the GOP's divisions to attack the party as chaotic, with Jeffries inviting Republicans to cross the aisle and end the deadlock. Some Republicans fear that may be inevitable.

As the drama played out Thursday, McCarthy ally Mike Rogers (R-Al.) warned that Republicans would need help to get out of the "ditch" they were forced into by "traitors" in the Republican party.