MILWAUKEE _ In a speculative piece posted Thursday, Politico reported that House Speaker Paul Ryan would like to "serve through Election Day 2018 and retire ahead of the next Congress."
When asked during a morning news conference if he was leaving soon, Ryan said, "No."
AshLee Strong, spokesperson for the speaker, said later: "This is pure speculation. As the speaker himself said today, he's not going anywhere any time soon."
One aide close to Ryan was dismissive of the article and said, "This is Beltway speculation, nothing more," the aide said.
At the same time, his office said Ryan would not give an interview to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on the subject.
The Wisconsin Republican recently gave $1.9 million to the National Republican Campaign Committee at the end of November and fully geared up for re-election next year. He also helped the NRCC win four special elections in 2017.
In its story, Politico said: "More recently, over closely held conversations with his kitchen cabinet, Ryan's preference has become clear: He would like to serve through Election Day 2018 and retire ahead of the next Congress.
"This would give Ryan a final legislative year to chase his second white whale, entitlement reform, while using his unrivaled fundraising prowess to help protect the House majority _ all with the benefit of averting an ugly internecine power struggle during election season."
