House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said Friday he can’t think of a better vice presidential candidate for Republicans than Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who also won praise from former Speaker John A. Boehner after Donald Trump selected Mr. Pence to be his running mate.
“I can think of no better choice for our vice-presidential candidate,” Mr. Ryan said in a statement.
“We need someone who is steady and secure in his principles, someone who can cut through the noise and make a compelling case for conservatism. Mike Pence is that man,” Mr. Ryan said.
Mr. Ryan also said Mr. Pence, a former congressman, will help bring “real change” to Washington.
Mr. Boehner, who beat out Mr. Pence for a House leadership position in 2006, praised the Indiana governor as “an exceptional leader, and an even better man.”
“As chairman of the House Republican Conference during a critical time for our country, he played a key role in helping us earn the majority in the House,” Mr. Boehner said. “And with his heart, honesty, and integrity, he won the trust and respect of everyone with whom he served.”
After Democrats took control of the House by winning in the 2006 midterm elections, Mr. Pence lost to Mr. Boehner in the race for House minority leader.
In 2009, Mr. Pence was elected chairman of the House Republican Conference, and Mr. Boehner ultimately became speaker after Republicans took back the House by winning in the 2010 midterms.
Mr. Boehner left Congress last year, and Mr. Ryan succeeded him as speaker.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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