UPDATE: CONFIRMED:
Statement from House Speaker Paul Ryan's office: "This morning Speaker Ryan shared with his colleagues that this will be his last year as a member of the House. He will serve out his full term, run through the tape, and then retire in January." https://t.co/V0BgWWdPYY pic.twitter.com/9yWLgoc6Gf
— CNN (@CNN) April 11, 2018
END UPDATE.
– – – – – Earlier Reporting – – – – –
It’s being reported from various sources that Paul Ryan has informed some of his colleagues that he is not running for reelection this year, even though he’d likely win:
BREAKING: AP source says Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan will not run for re-election.
— AP Central U.S. (@APCentralRegion) April 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/jonathanvswan/status/984041857687617537
Here’s more:
CNBC – House Speaker Paul Ryan has privately told confidants he does not plan to run for re-election this year, multiple reports said Wednesday.
The Wisconsin Republican could announce his decision “soon,” according to the news outlet. The GOP faces a tough fight to hold on to a House majority in November amid Democratic enthusiasm and opposition to some policies pushed by President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.
Ryan, who has served in the House since 1999, likely would win a re-election bid. But he would have faced a better funded opponent than he is used to in Democrat Randy Bryce, whom the House Democrats’ campaign arm is supporting.
Axios first reported Ryan’s decision.
This fits with all the reporting we’ve heard over the last year about Ryan wanting to retire, and even more recent reporting that some in leadership – Kevin McCarthy and Steve Scalise – are already vying for his job.
I’m sure he’ll make the announcement soon now that word is out.
UPDATE: NBC News is now confirming as well:
JUST IN: Speaker Paul Ryan will not run for re-election, a congressional source tells NBC News - @AlexNBCNews
— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 11, 2018