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WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Republican Representative Paul Ryan on Thursday announced that he would run for Speaker of the House of Representatives after garnering unified support within his party.
"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 wrote in a letter to House Republicans late Thursday.
Ryan said earlier he would only run for Speaker if all major House Republican factions endorsed him, namely the hardline Freedom Caucus, the conservative Republican Study Committee and centrist Tuesday Group.
The Republican Study Committee and Tuesday Group endorsed Ryan Thursday, while the Freedom Caucus said the "super majority" of its members supported the former vice presidential candidate in 2012 to run for Speaker.
House Republicans will hold a vote behind the doors on Oct. 28 to nominate a candidate before holding a full vote on Oct. 29 to elect a Speaker.
If elected, Ryan, 45, is to replace John Boehner, who will step down on Oct. 30, one day after the election.
