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Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ seemingly-inevitable promotion to the No. 4 slot in the U.S. House of Representatives hit last-minute turbulence Tuesday when Rep. Paul Ryan threw a high-profile endorsement behind her rival.

Ryan, the erstwhile vice presidential candidate, is backing Rep. Tom Price of Georgia as chair of the House Republican Conference. That’s the same job Spokane’s McMorris Rodgers is trying to move up to from her current post as vice chair.

Ryan’s move injected a dose of competition to what had appeared to be a certain victory for McMorris Rodgers, the highest-ranking GOP female in Congress. She has garnered support from House Speaker John Boehner and at least seven committee chairmen, including Darrell Issa of California and Fred Upton of Michigan.

Ryan has reason to endorse Price. Ryan wants to return as chair of the House Budget Committee, a job Price was running for in the event that Ryan and Mitt Romney moved into the White House. (Ryan will have to get a term-limit waiver from Boehner and the rest of the House Republican leadership to serve another two years on the budget panel.)

Price also is favored by two key conservative Republicans, Jeb Hensarling of Texas and Mike Pence of Indiana.  Hensarling co chaired the bipartisan deficit-reduction “super committee” with Democratic Sen. Patty Murray.

The secret-ballot election will be held Wednesday.

Good morning, and happy Friday:

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgres

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Spokane is a rising star. You probably knew that. What you perhaps did not know is that she may land a premium job in the U.S. House — House Republican Conference chair, a.k.a., the most visible woman in the GOP. Politico has the details.

Seattle budget director uninvited from budget committee table. Can you say 2013 Seattle mayor’s race? Publicola takes you there.  There is an odd dust-up between budget director Beth Goldberg and some members of the City Council, including budget chair Tim Burgess. Burgess is considering a run for mayor against Goldberg’s boss, Mayor Mike McGinn.

I like FEMA, I don’t like FEMA, is Sandy a Democratic storm? Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is having a hard time describing exactly how he feels about the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It is not an exaggeration to say he once wasn’t so hot about FEMA, suggesting possible cuts to the agency that helps victims of natural disasters. But on second thought, this week, Romney said he likes FEMA, sees its role. Do not feel badly if you are confused.

Politics job from hell: So you think you are sick and tired of the election? Imagine how these fellows feel. Eli Sanders at The Stranger has a fun feature on trackers, the people who follow the candidate they oppose around in the governor’s race. “Tracking the trackers.” Take a look.