Paul Ryan formally enters US House speaker race

Paul Ryan, a Republican representative from the US state of Wisconsin, officially declared his candidacy for the speaker of the House of Representatives after garnering support from various rightwing Republican factions.

"I never thought I'd be speaker. But I pledged to you that if I could be a unifying figure, then I would serve - I would go all in," Ryan noted in a letter to Republican lawmakers.

'Positive step'

Earlier this week, Ryan said he was open to serving as house speaker, but only if Republican party factions united behind him, including the far-right House Freedom Caucus.

"After talking with so many of you, and hearing your words of encouragement, I believe we are ready to move forward as a one, united team. And I am ready and eager to be our speaker," Ryan said.

Ryan also garnered support from the hard-line House Freedom Caucus, which allegedly forced House Speaker John Boehner into resigning.

Support, but not an endorsement

Ryan's preconditions for advancing his candidacy also included a rule change that would it make it more difficult for a single member of Congress to force a vote to oust the speaker.

However, the House Freedom Caucus said that while they voted to support Ryan in his bid for House speaker, they would not endorse him apparently due to his preconditions.

Republicans are set to nominate a new speaker by October 28 in a bid to have the House officially vote on October 29, a day before Boehner said he would officially step down.

ls/bw (AP, Reuters)