Exclusive — Pennsylvania’s Mike Kelly Considering Speakership Bid

Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), an influential conservative, is considering a bid for the House speakership, Breitbart News has learned exclusively. Sources on Capitol Hill, including conservatives close to the Pennsylvania delegation, confirm to Breitbart News that Kelly—if House Ways and Means Committee chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) doesn’t run, as is now expected—will likely get into the race.

Kelly spokesman Tom Qualtere did not, when contacted by Breitbart News, deny the speculation, but did tell Breitbart News he’s ready to serve the GOP conference in any capacity his colleagues deem fit. Kelly was first elected in 2010 as part of the Tea Party wave, and is a fierce defender of conservatism on Capitol Hill.

“Rep. Kelly would be proud to serve under a Paul Ryan speakership,” Qualtere said in an email. “But if Chairman Ryan permanently removes his name from consideration, then Rep. Kelly is prepared to lead the team in any capacity his colleagues see fit. He’s ready for anything.”

Kelly is an outspoken conservative who supports defunding President Obama’s executive amnesty, defunding and auditing Planned Parenthood, and has an outspoken rhetorical style that more fits what Republicans conference-wide are looking for than many other potential candidates for Speaker.

Next week should get truly interesting if, as expected, Ryan again declines to run for the Speakership. Ryan’s office confirmed to Breitbart News again on Wednesday that his thinking has not changed in not wanting to run for Speaker.