Story highlights "Let me be clear: I do not want, nor will I accept the nomination for our party," Ryan said

Ryan aides believe even a late entry would not have been feasible

Washington (CNN) House Speaker Paul Ryan, facing increasing questions about his 2016 plans, sought to end speculation Tuesday that he may be a late entrant into the messy Republican race for president.

"Let me be clear: I do not want, nor will I accept the nomination for our party," Ryan said in remarks from the Republican National Committee's headquarters in Washington.

In a plea to delegates, Ryan added: "I believe you should only choose from a person who has actually participated in the primary. Count me out."

With his conservative credentials and appeal to the party establishment, a growing number of Republicans had publicly and privately floated Ryan as the lone candidate who could unite a party in disarray as it heads into a possible contested convention in Cleveland.

But Ryan, who also has the job as chairman of the convention, wanted to dispel any notions that he's plotting his own presidential bid. Behind the scenes, Ryan is making clear that his biggest goal in 2016 is now helping save an increasingly endangered House GOP majority. Ryan now will begin a furious fundraising push for his colleagues and to bolster his own coffers. According to a list obtained by CNN, Ryan will hold nearly 20 fundraising events over the next eight weeks, capping off with a June money event in Hot Springs, Virginia.

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