House Speaker Paul Ryan will not run for re-election in November, according to a report Wednesday from Axios — a move that will significantly bolster Democrats’ ambitions of retaking the chamber in the November midterms.
For the 48-year-old Republican, long rumored to be leaving office, the decision to stand down was taken in consultation with confidants Tuesday night, Axios reports.
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The decision has been confirmed by multiple other journalists; Ryan is expected to inform his staff as soon as Wednesday morning.
One Republican described the shockwaves this would send through Washington:
“This is a titanic, tectonic shift. This is going to make every Republican donor believe the House can’t be held.”
A spokesperson for Ryan was not immediately available to comment on the report.
Cover image: Speaker of the House Paul Ryan answers questions at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on March 22, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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