Despite repeatedly denying he was interested in the position, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is reportedly considering a run for House speaker, legislators told CNN on Friday. He said he's "thinking and praying on it," according to Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah).
Mitt Romney, who tapped Ryan as his 2012 presidential running mate, is one of many urging him to put his name in to replace John Boenher (R-Ohio) after Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) shocked Congress by dropping out of the race Thursday.
"I wouldn't presume to tell Paul what to do, but I do know that he is a man of ideas who is driven to see them applied for the public good," Romney said in a statement. "Every politician tries to convince people that they are that kind of leader; almost none are — Paul is."
Leaving Capitol Hill on Friday, Paul declined fill in reporters on his chances of entering the race.
"Sorry guys, I'm just going to go," he told reporters. "The Packers are at home. They're going to beat the Rams and cover the spread."