Chaffetz: ‘I Would Not Run Against Paul Ryan’ for House Speaker

“I think it looks like chaos”, he said.

Ryan and more than a dozen other key Republicans sent a letter to House leaders yesterday urging them not to make any snap decisions in thewake of McCarthy’s departure.

Ryan, the 2012 Republican vice presidential nominee, left the meeting saying he had no further comment.

U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan was among the many Republicans being pushed as a possible Speaker of the House following a dramatic day Thursday in which front-runner Kevin McCarthy pulled out of the race.

John Boehner’s handpicked successor just quit the race for Speaker before a vote was even cast.

“I would not have predicted today’s happenings”, said Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Va.

With McCarthy now out of the race, we’ve now confirmed that Georgia’s own Lynn Westmoreland of the 3rd Congressional District is considering a run.

Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, who supported McCarthy, said the 50-year-old Californian pitched himself as “a proven leader, a generational change in the speakership”. “But he doesn’t seem to want it. But I’ll bet you that if it was actually offered to him, he would take it”.

Establishment-minded Republicans expressed bitter frustration at the sway of the Freedom Caucus at a time when Republicans command their largest House majority in 80 years.

Lawmakers said they were hoping to coalesce around a candidate, but how quickly that happens continues to depend on Ryan’s next move.

“Paul Ryan’s been meeting with everyone non-stop”, Issa said. That election was set for October 29, but its date is now uncertain.

The fight over the next speaker has exposed fractures in the party but Rep. Keith Rothfus, R-Sewickley, said it ultimately will strengthen the caucus: “This provides an opportunity for us to find the things that unite us, actually”.

REP. PETER KING (R), New York: I think Paul Ryan right now has the clout, he has the stature, that he could overcome a lot, he could bring sides together.

Ryan is chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, the panel that writes legislation concerning taxes.

The about-face appeared to stem from McCarthy’s growing realization over the past 24 hours that while many of his colleagues supported him, he was risking a humiliating defeat when the vote went to the House floor later this month. This leaves the GOP in a bit of a crisis, she explained, that will likely end up with John Boehner staying on as Speaker – a job he’s made clear he no longer wants. Gowdy has said he has no interest in the job.

“Chairman Ryan appreciates the support he’s getting from his colleagues, but is still not running for speaker”, said Ryan spokesperson Brendan Buck, according to Fox News.

Reps. Daniel Webster of Florida, whoearlier in the week secured thesupport of the Freedom Caucus, and Jason Chaffetz of Utah are now in the race, and other lawmakers have said they’re considering bids.