ATLANTA — The GOP’s crowded 2016 presidential field shifted sharply Monday as Paul Ryan, the party’s last vice presidential nominee, bowed out, while two-time presidential hopeful Mitt Romney marched toward his third campaign and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie stepped closer to his first.
The developments came as Republican officials from across the nation prepare to gather in San Diego this week to finalize an election calendar that will include the first debates of the campaign this summer. Romney is among four potential White House contenders expected to attend that meeting.
Ryan, a Wisconsin congressman and close Romney ally, thanked those who encouraged him to seek the presidency, but said he wanted to focus all of his attention on his new role as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
“I’m ready to get on with my job, and I’m excited about what’s ahead,” Ryan told The Associated Press in an interview at the Capitol.
Ryan was among those Romney personally telephoned over the weekend to gauge their support for a third campaign, which was barely on the horizon at this time last week and would be the first return engagement of a losing major party nominee in decades.