Robin Vos announces he won’t run for Paul Ryan’s seat

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Robin Vos

Wisconsin’s State Assembly speaker announced Friday he will not run for Paul Ryan’s seat in the 1st Congressional District.

Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said he plans to seek another term in the Wisconsin State Assembly because he believes he can do more good continuing to push state-based conservative reforms.

#BREAKING: @SpeakerVos will NOT run for @SpeakerRyan seat. #news3 pic.twitter.com/oA6HGE484T

— Jessica Arp (@news3jessica) April 13, 2018

“Since Paul announced his decision Wednesday, I’ve been overwhelmed at the outpouring of support from friends, colleagues and constituents who are encouraging me to run in the 1st Congressional District. While I know that our nation’s capital desperately needs more conservative reformers from Wisconsin, Michelle and I have decided that we can do more good continuing to push state-based conservative reforms,” Vos said in a statement.

Vos said he is incredibly proud of the work that’s been done in Madison and he knows there’s a lot more work to do.

“I have always believed that states are the laboratories of democracy. In Wisconsin, we’re providing a roadmap for the nation on how conservative reforms can move a state forward,” Vos said.

Vos said he hopes the federal government can give states more freedom to innovate, and he looks forward to having additional opportunities for Wisconsin to lead the way.

Ryan announced Wednesday he would not be seeking re-election and will retire from Congress after this year.

University of Wisconsin Regent Bryan Steil and state Sen. David Craig are both considering running, but haven’t yet announced.

Vos was the highest profile potential candidate. He says he was encouraged to run, but wants to seek re-election and continue working in the state Legislature.

Democrats Randy Bryce and Cathy Myers are running, and former U.S. Rep. Peter Barca says he’s considering getting in.

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