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US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan will not run for re-election this year, in a big blow to Republicans with mid-term elections looming.
Congress’ most powerful lawmaker said he would not stand for another term in his Wisconsin district this November.
Republicans already face a tough challenge from Democrats to keep control of the lower chamber, says a BBC report.
Ryan joins nearly 30 House Republicans who have announced this year they are retiring outright.
Democrats need 23 seats to take over the House.
In a Wednesday morning news conference, Ryan said the decision was family-related.
“You all know that I did not seek this job,” he said. “I took it reluctantly.”
“But I have given this job everything. I have no regrets whatsoever for having accepted this responsibility.”
He continued: “But the truth is it’s easy for it to take over everything in your life and you can’t just let that happen.”
The 48-year-old father-of-three said he did not want to be known by his children as ‘only a weekend dad’.
Ryan said he would retire in January after finishing his congressional term.