Dave Reichert Responds To Speaker Paul Ryan Announcement

ISSAQUAH, WA - U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Issaquah, is reacting to the news that Speaker Paul Ryan will not seek reelection. Reichert praised Ryan as having "the heart of a servant," and highlighted that the two Republicans have served together for 14 years.

Ryan announced Tuesday morning that he will not serve in the House after the end of his term. The announcement was a surprise, but there has been speculation in recent months that Ryan would step aside. Reichert has also decided not to seek reelection, and Republican Dino Rossi is running to keep the seat for the GOP.

Randy Bryce, an ironworker and Democrat, is running for Ryan's seat, which covers parts of south-central Wisconsin.

Here's Reichert's full statement:

"With the heart of a servant, Speaker Paul Ryan has been dedicated to serving the American people for nearly 20 years; always doing what was best for the American people and often putting their needs above his own. I am honored to have served alongside Paul for the past seven terms, including our time together on the Ways and Means Committee. I have the utmost respect for his unwavering work ethic and his commitment to his family. I am thankful for his leadership, his service to our country, and wish him and his family all the best in this new chapter."

One of Rossi's Democrat challengers, Dr. Kim Schrier of Issaquah, did not look upon Ryan's tenure as fondly as Reichert.

"Even Paul Ryan knows he can't defend the House Republican agenda to voters. Americans want leaders who will stand up for their constituents, not act as rubber stamps on Donald Trump's backwards policies. Paul Ryan's retirement is a great sign for our campaign in the 8th district and for Democrats across the country. Voters are ready to flip the House, and Washington's 8th district is on the front lines of that fight," she said.

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