WASHINGTON — Republican members of West Virginia’s congressional delegation spoke highly of Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., following Thursday’s announcement that he will not run for re-election in November.
The announcement comes amid already existing concerns about a rough midterm election cycle for the Republican Party.
Ryan, who will stay in office until January, said the decision was made with his family in mind.
“This is my twentieth year in Congress. My kids weren’t even born when I was first elected. Our oldest was 13 years old when I became speaker,” he said. “Now, all three of our kids are teenagers.”
“What I realize is if I am here for one more term, my kids will only have ever known me as a weekend dad. I just can’t let that happen,” he added.
Ryan became speaker in October 2015 after former Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, retired from public office.
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., was elected to the House of Representatives in 2000, two years after Ryan first took office.
“My friend @SpeakerRyan is a great man who has worked hard to build a better, brighter future for all Americans. He has served honorably and with great skill, and he will be greatly missed when he retires from Congress,” she tweeted. “Thank you for your leadership and your service, Mr. Speaker! I know how much you love your family and will enjoy the years ahead with them.”
Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va., succeeded Capito in the 2nd Congressional District following the 2014 midterm election. He said, as a father himself, he understands how difficult it can be to balance fatherhood and congressional duties.
“Speaker Ryan will be serving until the end of this Congress and I’m confident he will continue to do a great job. I look forward to continuing to work with him and my colleagues in Congress to advance President Trump’s conservative agenda,” he said in a statement.
Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., also thanked Ryan for his leadership.
“Speaker Paul Ryan didn’t seek the position, but he answered the call and provided steadfast leadership to the House of Representatives. The hours in Congress are long, and the sacrifices made can relegate one to the status of ‘weekend dad’ at times. While we are sad to see such a close friend leave us at the end of this term, we respect his desire to spend more time with his family,” he said in a statement.
U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., said Ryan’s leadership led to the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December.
“When he says he’s retiring to spend more time with his family, he’s absolutely sincere. Speaker Ryan has served honorably in Congress, and it’s safe to say the historic tax cuts we passed in December would not have happened without his leadership. E.B. and I wish him, Janna and their children all the best,” he said in a statement.
West Virginia Democratic Party Chairwoman Belinda Biafore was not as appreciative of Ryan’s time in office, saying in a press release his retirement is proof that Americans are tired of “being attacked by the GOP and he knows it.”
“West Virginians, just as all Americans, have endured attacks and threats to their healthcare coverage, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, our education system, jobs, and our communities and families. The list goes on and on,” he said.
“People are demanding change and an end to the gridlock in Washington because of the Republican reckless and selfish agenda that only helps corporate America and the richest of the rich.”
Twenty-five Republicans in the House of Representatives and three Republican senators have announced they will not seek re-election this year.