U.S Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)
The next speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives may end up being from Wisconsin.
Republican Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) announced late Thursday in a letter to his House colleagues that he will run for the position.
Ryan’s decision comes just weeks after he repeatedly said he was not interested in the position. However, as no other strong candidate emerged to replace outgoing Speaker John Boehner, pressure mounted on the former vice presidential nominee to reconsider. Ryan, who currently serves as the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, announced earlier this week that he would enter the race if he had the support of three key factions in the GOP caucus. Most of those members have lined up behind him in recent days.
In his letter, Ryan wrote “I never thought I’d be speaker. But I pledged to you that if I could be a unifying figure, then I would serve – I would go all in. After talking with so many of you, and hearing your words of encouragement, I believe we are ready to move forward as a one, united team. And I am ready and eager to be our speaker.”
An election for speaker is expected to take place next week.