Paul Ryan Confirms He Will Not Seek Reelection
UPDATE: Speaker of the House Paul Ryan confirmed on Wednesday morning that he will not be seeking reelection in November:
Statement from @SpeakerRyan’s office confirming he won’t run for re-election: pic.twitter.com/m677jPOmNu
— Gio Benitez (@GioBenitez) April 11, 2018
Axios first reported that Ryan “has told confidants he will announce soon” his intentions to retire from Congress, a move that has long been expected.
The Atlantic’s Elaina Plott confirmed Jonathan Swan’s scoop, adding that Ryan will “tell colleagues today that he’s not running for re-election.”
Can confirm @jonathanvswan scoop that Paul Ryan will tell colleagues today that he’s not running for re-election. A source with direct knowledge tells me he’ll inform his staff at 8:45. Story TK
— Elaina Plott (@elainaplott) April 11, 2018
Meanwhile, an apparently forlorn Sen. Ron Johnson, from Ryan’s home state of Wisconsin, dished to Hugh Hewitt about the move.
“Not a real positive sign,” he said. “There are a lot of ‘not positive’ signs out there.”
From @SenRonJohnson re @SpeakerRyan decision not to run again and what it means for November; “Not a real positive sign. There are a lot of ‘not positive’ signs out there.” But Johnson says it can be turned around, but Senate has to start working 24/7. Amen.
— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) April 11, 2018
And Politico Playbook’s Jake Sherman provided some color:
this is a seismic scoop from @jonathanvswan and would set off a mad 6 month dash to decide the next speaker. https://t.co/uYqQMysVKp
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) April 11, 2018
This story is breaking and will be updated.
[image via screengrab]
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