House Republicans said they aren’t too worried about what Speaker Paul Ryan’s retirement means for the midterm elections and don’t believe it will hurt the GOP in November, despite reports that Ryan’s move spells the end of his party’s majority.
Many also don’t think Ryan’s decision to stay on as speaker until he leaves in January will create any problems for the party.
“He’s led well and I think he’ll continue to lead well through January. He’s going to continue to raise a lot of money,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., a former NRCC chair. “You hate to lose him, but I don’t think it’s going to materially affect the election one way or another.”
“No, I really don’t,” said Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., when asked if Ryan, R-Wis., has put the conference in a squeeze.
“He was in a tough spot since Day 1. I don’t know why anyone wants to be speaker, honest to God. It’s so hard on them. It’s so hard on their families,” said Mike Kelly, R-Pa. “If anybody doesn’t know Paul Ryan by now or the years he’s put in there, he’s not putting anybody in a tough spot. I think he’s just taking a look at things and saying ‘you know what? I achieved a lot of the things I wanted to achieve and it’s time for me to move on,’ and I think it’s fine. I think it’s healthy.”
Some lawmakers were open to the idea that Ryan’s decision to stay on as speaker could cause problems for the GOP as the election nears, but said that could be dealt with later if it comes up.
“I think Paul’s smart enough to figure out if it does become a problem that they’ll get the matter resolved. I think the sooner the better if they do it, but that’s up to him,” said Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Ohio. “We owe him that deference since he didn’t want to do it in the first place.”
Walker, who leads the Republican Study Committee, agreed that the GOP owes Ryan a chance to show he can hold onto the gavel for the rest of the current Congress.
“I’ve tried to analyze that as far as what’s the better strategy to transition out, to continue. I think the fact that there’s a certain level of respect that this body sought him out to run as speaker, I think he’s earned the right and privilege to say, ‘I’m going out on these terms,'” Walker said. “I hope our focus doesn’t become one of a speaker’s race, but one of keeping the majority [and] that we can keep our promises to the American people.”
A main concern among some Republicans is the impact on fundraising, as Ryan has raised millions for Republicans while serving as speaker. In the 2018 cycle alone, Ryan has raised $40 million for the National Congressional Campaign Committee and maintains he will remain active and successful in that area.
But Ryan has helped to create some stability for the party. Two days after his announcement, Ryan threw his support behind House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. for the job, which led House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., to also back McCarthy as well. Despite the behind the scenes maneuvering, some believe it has been tame thus far.
“I actually think all the usual suspects … have all behaved really very well. The leadership team will handle it, I think, in a pretty professional manner,” Cole said. “Nobody’s going around asking for votes or putting anybody on the spot. You’ve got other people outside the leadership that may look at this, that’s perfectly appropriate too. I don’t see any undue strain.”
Democrats have a chance to win back the House, if they can win 24 seats in November. If they do, Republicans will be picking a minority leader, not a speaker, and that has some Republicans downplaying Ryan’s move, and saying that it’s too early to fret about replacing Ryan.
“I don’t know why we’re worried about it now,” Kelly said. “We better make sure we’re in the majority.”
