‘I have given this job everything I have’: Ryan
WASHINGTON — Claiming he’s accomplished a “heckuva lot,” U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan announced Wednesday he will not run for re-election and will retire next year, injecting another layer of uncertainty as Republicans face worries over losing their majority in the fall.
The Wisconsin Republican cast the decision to end his 20-year career as a personal one, saying he did not want his children growing up with a “weekend dad.” He told reporters he believes he’s leaving with strong accomplishments his party can sell to voters ahead of November elections. A self-styled budget guru, Ryan had made tax cuts a centrepiece of his legislative agenda, and a personal cause, and Congress delivered on that late last year.
“I have given this job everything I have,” he said. “We’re going to have a great record to run on.”
Ryan’s plans have been the source of much speculation and will set off a scramble among his lieutenants to take the helm. It will also fuel speculation that Ryan is eyeing a coming Democratic surge, fuelled by opposition to President Donald Trump, that could wrest control of the House of Representatives from Republicans’ grip. Several GOP veterans have announced plans to retire in recent months and another, Rep. Dennis Ross of Florida, quickly followed Ryan on Wednesday.
Ryan, 48, first announced his plans at a closed-door meeting of House Republicans Wednesday morning. His tone was sombre, and he read directly from prepared remarks. Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., said an emotional Ryan “choked up a few times trying to get through” his remarks to colleagues and received three standing ovations.
Moments later, Ryan told reporters that if he were to stay for one more term, his children — now all teens — would only know him as a weekend dad. “I can’t let that happen,” he said.
The speaker called extended family and a few close friends Tuesday night and alerted a few staff. On Wednesday morning, he called the president and the vice-president and informed the rest of his staff before going to the conference meeting, officials said.