Rep. Paul Ryan is formally declaring his candidacy for speaker of the House after getting unified support from across the Republican conference.
The "white smoke" is official... Paul Ryan is officially in for Speaker! #RunPaulRun— Rep. Bill Huizenga (@RepHuizenga) October 22, 2015
The Wisconsin lawmaker and onetime GOP vice presidential nominee will be all but assured to win elections next week.
He made the announcement in a letter to colleagues, saying, "After talking with so many of you, and hearing your words of encouragement, I believe we are ready to move forward as on, united team. And I am ready and eager to be your speaker."
Paul Ryan tells colleagues he's ready to be Speaker: "This is just the beginning of our work" pic.twitter.com/8y6AGfmf6v— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) October 22, 2015
Ryan sought unity from divided Republicans as a condition for his candidacy. He succeeded in getting support from three major caucuses within the GOP, including the hardline Freedom Caucus that forced the current speaker, John Boehner to announce his resignation.
Ryan would inherit a House with major budgetary and spending deadlines on the horizon. At 45, he would become one of the youngest House speakers.