WASHINGTON — (CNN) The Republican Study Committee and the “Tuesday group” of House GOP moderates both endorsed Paul Ryan for speaker of the House on Thursday, meaning the Wisconsin Republican has support from the three groups he said he needed to run for the position.
Ryan said earlier this week he would only run for Speaker if he got the backing of the House Freedom Caucus, the RSC and the Tuesday group.
On Wednesday night more than two-thirds of the Freedom Caucus voted back to Ryan — just short of an official endorsement, but Ryan said afterward he planned to move forward with his bid and continue talking to other House Republicans.
He is expected to make an official announcement by Friday, but now has secured enough votes to be elected Speaker when the full House votes next Thursday.
The Tuesday group, whose membership includes more than 50 House GOP members, met with Ryan on earlier in the day and the move was expected, as many of those who attended were already publicly behind his bid.
The three co-chairs of the group — Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania, Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, and Bob Dold of Illinois — released a statement on Thursday praising Ryan.
“Paul has long been a thoughtful leader and reformer in Washington, a unifier in the House Republican caucus, and someone who is willing and able to work across the aisle to achieve results for the American people. The members of Tuesday Group look forward to working with him to govern, to address the many challenges facing our nation and to provide a clear and hopeful vision to the American People.”
Ryan met with the RSC Wednesday.
“After hearing Paul lay out his vision for the future of the Republican conference, I am confident that he is the right person to lead the House going forward. He has the policy expertise, conservative principles and strong values we need in our next Speaker,” RSC Chairman Bill Flores said in a statement.
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