U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, announced on Monday that he won’t run for president in 2016.
Ryan made the announcement in interviews with the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and NBC News, telling the Journal-Sentinel: “I am where I am. I like where I am.”
Ryan was recently named chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, a panel that writes legislation on taxes, entitlements and health care policy. Ryan said it’s a big job and it deserves his undivided attention.
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Ryan’s decision not to seek the presidency next year clears a potential hurdle for Gov. Scott Walker, should he decide to run. It was widely thought that it would be hard for two Wisconsin Republicans to seek the presidency.
At least to the public’s eye, Ryan and Walker are friends. The same is also true for Ryan and Mitt Romney, who is reportedly laying the groundwork for another presidential bid. Ryan told NBC News, “It is no secret that I have always thought Mitt would make a great president.”
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