While I really like Jim Jordan, might I suggest a Byron Donalds? A conservative without the RINO background.
Scalise has multiple myeloma and that is not a disease that is forgiving. Much of what the Speaker's job requires, based on my understanding, is "being everywhere all the time". That would exact a toll on him that he might not be able to bear for very long.
Donalds, in my view, would be a good choice. The professional politician elite class would complain that Donalds is too inexperienced (he's been a congressman only since 2021) to be Speaker. But I'd call his "inexperience" a feature, not a bug.
I'd heard him speak and he's very solid in interviews. He doesn't get rattled and he stands his ground.
But Jordan is who the GOP caucus seems to prefer. Time will tell. Somebody will fall out of the woodwork, but since the GOP caucus seems to constantly secure defeat from the jaws of victory, it wouldn't surprise me if Jeffries - the scum - wound up with the gig.