Republicans in disarray as speaker
PAUL Ryan, the speaker of the House of Representatives, has announced he will not be seeking re-election in November, in a blow to Republican confidence ahead of the race.
The departure of Mr Ryan, the most senior Republican in the House and their biggest fundraiser, is the most prominent in a series of retirements among the party in recent months.
The lawmaker denied that the party’s uphill battle to maintain control of Capitol Hill had driven his decision, saying he was relinquishing his role to spend more time with his wife and three children.
“I have been a member of Congress for almost two decades. My kids weren’t even born when I was elected,” Mr Ryan said.
“What I realise is, if I’m here for one more term, my kids will only have ever known me as a weekend dad.
“I just can’t let that happen, so I will be setting new priorities in my life.”
Some will see Mr Ryan’s retirement as a sign of the uncertainty over whether the party can maintain control of the House in November’s midterm elections.
More than 40 Republican representatives are leaving the chamber, and Mr Ryan’s departure is likely to have an impact on the party’s morale.
Just weeks ago, Eric Cantor, the former House majority leader and a friend of Mr Ryan, told ‘The Washington Post’: “The notion that Paul Ryan is just going to abdicate and leave is preposterous... it would be a signal of surrender.”
Allies of Mr Ryan insisted that he was simply committed to spending time with his family.
The Wisconsin representative has been a prolific fundrais-