Paul Ryan: No, I’m Still Not Running For Speaker

House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., right, accompanied by House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, left, takes reporters' questions as during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday,... House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., right, accompanied by House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, left, takes reporters' questions as during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, as House Republicans signaled support for a budget deal worked out yesterday between Ryan and Senate Budget Committee Chair Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. The budget deal was one of a few major measures left on Congress' to-do list near the end of a bruising year that has produced a partial government shutdown, a flirtation with a first-ever federal default and gridlock on President Obama's agenda. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) MORE LESS
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Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, on Thursday made it clear that he will not run for speaker shortly after House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) dropped out of the race.

“Kevin McCarthy is the best person to lead the House, and so I’m disappointed in this decision. Now it is important that we, as a Conference, take time to deliberate and seek new candidates for the speakership,” he said in a statement. “While I am grateful for the encouragement I’ve received, I will not be a candidate. I continue to believe I can best serve the country and this conference as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.”

Despite numerous House Republicans floating Ryan as a potential candidate for speaker, he has repeatedly declined to run.

After the 40-or-so member House Freedom Caucus endorsed McCarthy’s challenger, Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL), Ryan had been planning on giving a speech in support of McCarthy’s nomination for speaker on Thursday.

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