Ryan on 2016: No Thanks
As Mitt Romney sounds more serious about another White House run, his former VP candidate, Paul Ryan, says he’ll sit out the next presidential race.
Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call
Rep. Paul Ryan is not running for president.
The Wisconsin Republican announced in a statement on Monday that his work as Ways and Means chairman in the House “deserves his undivided attention.”
“After giving it a lot of thought, I’ve decided not to run for president,” Ryan said in the statement. “Our work at the House Ways and Means Committee over the next few years will be crucial to moving America forward, and my job as Chairman deserves undivided attention.
“It’s clear our country needs a change in direction. And our party has a responsibility to offer a real alternative. So I’m going to do what I can to lay out conservative solutions and to help our nominee lead us to victory.”
Ryan, who served as Mitt Romney’s vice presidential pick in 2012, announced his decision just days after news leaked that his former running mate told donors he was mulling another run.
In his statement, Ryan thanked supporters for their “words and continued support.”