Former House Speaker John Boehner John Andrew BoehnerLongtime House parliamentarian to step down Five things we learned from this year's primaries Bad blood between Pelosi, Meadows complicates coronavirus talks MORE (R-Ohio) in a new interview dismissed the possibility that a member of the deeply conservative House Freedom Caucus could replace Speaker Paul Ryan Paul Davis RyanKenosha will be a good bellwether in 2020 At indoor rally, Pence says election runs through Wisconsin Juan Williams: Breaking down the debates MORE (R-Wis.), who announced his retirement on Wednesday.

“They know they can’t win,” Boehner John Andrew BoehnerLongtime House parliamentarian to step down Five things we learned from this year's primaries Bad blood between Pelosi, Meadows complicates coronavirus talks MORE told The Columbus Dispatch. “So I’m sure that’s not going to happen.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Boehner, who retired from Congress in October of 2015, said he thinks House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy Kevin Owen McCarthyMcCarthy's Democratic challenger to launch first TV ad highlighting Air Force service as single mother Trump asked Chamber of Commerce to reconsider Democratic endorsements: report The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - White House moves closer to Pelosi on virus relief bill MORE (R-Calif.) is “in the No. 1 spot” to succeed Ryan. McCarthy and Majority Whip Steve Scalise Stephen (Steve) Joseph ScaliseHouse GOP slated to unveil agenda ahead of election House panel details 'serious' concerns around Florida, Georgia, Texas, Wisconsin elections Scalise hit with ethics complaint over doctored Barkan video MORE (R-La.) are both viewed as leading contenders for the speakership if Republicans keep the House in November's midterm elections.

Meanwhile, Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows Mark Randall MeadowsHouse moves toward spending vote after bipartisan talks House Democrats mull delay on spending bill vote Southwest Airlines, unions call for six-month extension of government aid MORE (R-N.C.) told reporters on Wednesday that the race for Ryan's replacement will be "decided" before the November midterms.

Ryan on Wednesday announced he would retire form Congress at the end of his current term, a decision that comes as House Republicans face a tough fight to retain control of the chamber.

"If I am here for one more term my kids will only have ever known me as a weekend dad. I just can't let that happen. So I will be setting new priorities in my life," said Ryan.

Boehner in a statement on Ryan’s retirement commended the Speaker for his work on budgets and tax reform.

“I admire Paul for his service, appreciate his friendship, and look forward to spending some time with him as a private citizen in the not-too-distant future,” Boehner said.