House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) has announced that he will step down as Speaker and retire from Congress in January.
"This has been one the two great honors of my life," Ryan said, adding that the other was being a husband and father to three teenage children. "I realized that if I serve one more term in Congress, my kids will only ever have known me as a weekend dad."
Axios was first to report that Ryan will retire from Congress, but will not step down before November's election.
In a press conference announcing his decision, Ryan stressed that his desire to spend more time with his family was the
Ryan, 48, was first elected to Congress in 1998 and was elected Speaker of the House in 2015. Rumors had been swirling since December that Ryan would step down, but he has consistently denied that he would retire.
The move leaves Republicans scrambling for a replacement as both Speaker and Congressman from Wisconsin's first district. Democrats Randy Bryce and Cathy Myers are running for the Party's nomination.
"I really do not believe whether I stay or go in 2019 will have any impact on any congressional candidate's individual race," Ryan said when asked whether his retirement would impact the 2018 midterms.
Stay tuned to News/Talk 1130 WISN for updates on this still-developing story.