Donald Trump’s running mate declined to say in an interview published Thursday whether GOP lawmakers should re-elect Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., for another term as House speaker on Nov. 15.
Despite saying his respect for Ryan is “boundless,” Mike Pence thrice told National Review, “I’m not a member of the House Republican conference anymore [and] I wouldn’t presume upon what the members of the conference choose.”
The two men served together in Congress before Pence became the governor of Indiana in 2012, and they have maintained a close relationship even as Trump has publicly feuded with Ryan on two separate occasions this election cycle.
However, Pence was reportedly frustrated last month when Ryan announced he would no longer be campaigning for Trump and advised House Republicans to do what they needed to do to win their races, even if it meant withdrawing their support for their party’s nominee.
Pence previously stood by Ryan when Trump initially declined to endorse the House speaker ahead of his primary in August, saying “we need Paul Ryan in leadership in the Congress of the United States.”
House Republicans are expected to hold their internal leadership elections upon returning from the lame-duck session on Nov. 15, exactly one week after Tuesday’s general election.
Ryan will have to secure a majority vote when the full House convenes in mid-January in order to maintain his role as speaker.
