WI-1: The Speaker's Plans

The Politico publication ran a story yesterday that quoted unnamed aides as saying the Speaker would very likely leave his leadership position after the 2018 election, and speculated that he would also leave the House.  It is important to note that Speaker Ryan, himself, has made no such public claim.  Therefore, it is unclear if the Speaker will seek re-election to the House.  If he does not, Wisconsin’s 1st District could become the site of a highly competitive open seat.  Though President Trump carried the district by ten percentage points, the Republican ticket, with Mr. Ryan as the Vice Presidential nominee, scored only a four-point victory margin.
 
At the end of September, Mr. Ryan’s likely Democratic opponent, labor union activist Randy Bryce, had already raised more than $1 million for the effort.  With a Republican nominee other than Speaker Ryan, the Democrats in the person of Mr. Bryce, could actually begin with a slight advantage.

--Jim Ellis