Another Republican state representative has stepped up to challenge state Rep. Brad Jones for his post as House Minority Leader. 

GOP sources told the State House News Service Tuesday that State Rep. Lewis Evangelidis is planning to take on state Jones.

The news comes on the heels of rumors that Republican state Rep. Jeff Perry was seeking the position and speculation that the 16-member GOP caucus was split in support of Perry and Jones. Perry, however, said last Saturday that he is not pursuing the post.

The State House News' sources indicated the caucus could also be evenly split between Evangelidis, of Holden, and Jones, of North Reading.

Jones, however, is confident he'll retain his post.

"There's obviously friction in the caucus," Jones told State House News, "but I'm the leader of the caucus, and I will be leader of the caucus in January."

The GOP caucus shrank from 19 members to 16 members in this year's election. The caucus is scheduled to meet Wednesday. It will vote on who will be the next minority leader in January.