Reactions to Speaker Paul Ryan's Retirement
Mark Wilson
On Wednesday, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan announced he would not seek re-election after this term. President Trump, Wisconsin politicians and other organizations are giving their opinion about Ryan's decision. In a tweet, President Trump commented on Ryan's retirement: "Speaker Paul Ryan is a truly good man, and while he will not be seeking re-election, he will leave a legacy of achievement that nobody can question. We are with you Paul!"Alex Wong
Governor Scott Walker released the following statement regarding Speaker Paul Ryan's decision to retire from the U.S. House of Representatives: "As dear friends of Paul and Janna for more than 20 years, Tonette and I simply say 'thank you' to them and their family. On behalf of the more than five and a half million people of Wisconsin, we thank them for their deep dedication and service to our state and our country. While Paul leaves behind a far-reaching, reform-minded legacy and a long list of achievements in Congress, I believe this is just the beginning for him."Scott Olson
U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) issued the following statement regarding Speaker Paul Ryan’s announcement that he will not run for re-election: “Paul Ryan is a person of true integrity who I have had the great fortune to know over the last eight years. He has served Janesville, southeastern Wisconsin and our nation honorably. We should all be grateful for his sacrifice and understand his desire to be a full-time Dad.”Mark Wilson
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) released the following statement on Speaker Ryan's decision not to seek re-election: "Before I was elected to the Senate I served with Paul Ryan in the House and have spent many years working with him on behalf of the people of Wisconsin. We know each other well and while we have different views on policy, I consider him a friend and have a lot of respect for him as a person and a public servant. This was a difficult decision to make, and I wish Paul and his family all the best in the future."Astrid Riecken
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel released the following statement on Speaker Paul Ryan's retirement: "Paul Ryan has been a champion for his constituents and a respected leader among his peers. He has left an indelible mark on Congress as an institution, most notably helping to secure the largest tax cut for the American people in a generation. We are grateful for his service to our country and his leadership in our Party."Drew Angerer
Randy Bryce campaign communications director Lauren Hitt released the following statement: "Paul Ryan decided to quit today rather than face Randy Bryce and the voters. With nearly $5 million raised to date, a strong field program aided by organized labor, a broad coalition of support locally and nationally, Randy Bryce is incredibly well positioned to be the next representative for the First District. Electorates far more conservative than Wisconsin's First have already elected Democrats in special elections in Wisconsin and across the country."Scott Olson
State Senator Alberta Darling in Madison, Wisconsin.Scott Olson
Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (WI-05) issued the following statement: "Paul Ryan will leave an indelible mark upon this institution. I am honored to have served with him and blessed to call him my friend. I've had the privilege of knowing Paul and his family throughout his career - from first-time candidate and junior lawmaker, to vice presidential candidate and committee chairman, to his current role as Speaker of the House. I wish him the best and know that he looks forward to spending more time with his wife and kids."
George Frey
NextGen America President Tom Steyer "History will not be kind to Paul Ryan. He will not be remembered as a visionary or a great legislator, but as a weak representative that compromised what little integrity he had to appease Donald Trump and an authoritarian administration...Although he and so many of his colleagues will be defeated in 2018, Paul Ryan is not retiring because he is going to lose in November. Paul Ryan is retiring because he already lost."Roy Rochlin
Voces de la Frontera released a statement with a quote from DACA recipient Fernanda Jimenez:
"Paul Ryan said that he supported us and would defend DACA, but he never did one thing for the 800,000 families protected by the program. Ryan has been a liar and a hypocrite when it comes to defending undocumented families and workers. We are still hungry for justice, and while we haven't won the clean Dream Act yet, Paul Ryan's exit means we are one step closer today." Lexey Swall
"Paul Ryan said that he supported us and would defend DACA, but he never did one thing for the 800,000 families protected by the program. Ryan has been a liar and a hypocrite when it comes to defending undocumented families and workers. We are still hungry for justice, and while we haven't won the clean Dream Act yet, Paul Ryan's exit means we are one step closer today." Lexey Swall
Peter Ambler, executive director of Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, released the following statement: "Speaker Ryan's decision to not run in 2018 is further evidence of Republican vulnerability on the issue of gun safety. As voter intensity on this issue increases, the politicians paid to defend the firearms industry are becoming aware of the fact that they can longer get away with staying silent. They know the same Americans who took to the streets to march for safer communities, will soon march to the ballot box."Zach Gibson