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Ryan: ‘I am going to seek staying on as speaker’

Speaker calls rumors “palace intrigue.”

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan touted advancing a comprehensive agenda after confirming he will seek becoming speaker. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan touted advancing a comprehensive agenda after confirming he will seek becoming speaker. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Paul D. Ryan is fending off rumors his days as speaker are numbered, telling a Wisconsin radio station Friday speculation he would not seek another term was “palace intrigue.”

“This is the typical chatter you have every two years,” Ryan told WTAQ’s Jerry Bader. “I am going to seek staying on as speaker.”

Ryan touted his agenda after definitively confirming he would run for the position again.

“There’s a lot of unfinished work to do.” Ryan said. “I can do a lot to help our cause, our party,” Ryan said.

Ryan has been plagued by reports that House Republicans are upset about his decision to focus on down ballot races instead of campaigning for GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump after a leaked tape showed Trump making lewd remarks about women.

At the time, Ryan said he was “sickened” by Trump’s remarks.

Reports this week cited several unnamed lawmakers who said Ryan could step down from the role after Tuesday’s elections.

Ryan will stump with Trump vice presidential nominee Mike Pence, a former member of the House, to campaign for Republican Sen. Ron Johnson who faces a tight re-election.

Contact Rahman at remarahman@cqrollcall.com or follow her on Twitter at @remawriter.

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