WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican colleagues call Steve Scalise a fighter, but the nominee for House speaker may be in for a brawl. The affable Louisiana congressman was nominated by his colleagues to replace ousted Kevin McCarthy. First elected in 2008, Scalise has climbed the leadership ladder. Some call him an “American hero” after surviving a 2017 shooting when a gunman opened fire at a congressional baseball game practice. He recently underwent treatment for blood cancer. Scalise has been working to shore up support from Republican holdouts ahead of a House vote.