Raúl Labrador Running for Majority Leader

[King]

The guy is in his sophomore term.  He's not getting the job.

Kevin McCarthy was elected a Majority Whip at the end of his sophomore term. Right, it's not Majority Leader but still, seniority is not as important regarding leadership positions as it is with committee assignments

Majority Whip is nowhere close to Majority Leader, even if are both elected to positions.  You don't campaign to become Whip. The Leader selects his Whip candidate and everyone votes for you unopposed.