Paul Ryan Is Officially Running for House Speaker

It's official: Paul Ryan will run for speaker of the House. After much hesitance, soul-searching, and requests for the House GOP to unite behind his candidacy, the Wisconsin Republican will enter the race. In a Thursday evening letter to colleagues, Ryan wrote, “I am ready and eager to be speaker.” He added that while he never believed he’d ever assume the position, he intends to be a “unifying figure” for the party and will help “common-sense conservatives” show America “how to fix our tax code, how to rebuild our military, how to strengthen the safety net, and how to lift people out of poverty.”