Rep. Paul Ryan May Be Considering Challenge to Boehner

Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) may be considering a bid for a Republican leadership position in the next Congress, including a potential challenge to House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio.)

Ryan, the ranking member of the House Budget Committee, has been contacted by several Republican members, and is now in the process of mulling his options.

“He’s in listening mode, he’s gathering input from several of his colleagues who have contacted him,” said Conor Sweeney, Ryan’s spokesman.

“He has not ruled anything out,” Sweeney said in response to a question as to whether Ryan has ruled out a bid to challenge Boehner. Sweeney said he could not speak to the nature of the conversations Ryan has had with House colleagues.

Ryan’s consideration comes during a week that has seen increased Republican losses in the House during the election, and tumult in the ranks of the Republican leadership.

Boehner wrote a letter to current and incoming Republican members Wednesday to urge his reelection as Leader. “

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