House Speaker Paul Ryan is barnstorming Wisconsin to boost Republicans on Tuesday’s primary ballot, raising money and rallying support for the party’s endorsed candidates.
On Monday, Ryan headlined fundraisers for Rep. Mike Gallager in Green Bay and Glenn Grothman in Milwaukee. The speaker also hit the trail for Bryan Steil, his former congressional aide and the frontrunner to win the nomination to succeed him in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District, and Senate candidate Leah Vukmir. She has the party’s endorsement to take on Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, but must first get past formidable opponent Kevin Nicholson.
“Paul Ryan is committed to helping Wisconsin Republicans win in November. He is going to be a constant presence on the campaign trail, reminding voters that the economy is booming and people are better off thanks to the reforms Republicans have passed,” said Jeremy Adler, a spokesman for Ryan’s political team.
Ryan is stepping down as speaker at year’s end and retiring from Congress after 20 years. But the 2012 nominee for vice president is doing his best to protect vulnerable House colleagues from a possible Democratic wave in the midterm elections fueled by dissatisfaction with President Trump, particularly in traditionally Republican turf in affluent suburbs.
The speaker plans a busy political schedule in the run-up to November. Fundraisers and campaign stops for House Republicans are on the calendar or in scheduling for the fall, with an emphasis on the party’s embattled incumbents. Democrats need to gain roughly two dozen seats to capture the House majority.
The House is in the middle of its August recess. The Senate returns to Washington this week after a truncated vacation.
