Hastert Will Not Seek Minority Leader Post in Democratic-Controlled House
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WASHINGTON (AP) – Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., told fellow Republican lawmakers on Wednesday he does not intend to run for minority leader when Democrats take control of the House in January, officials said.
Mr. Hastert conveyed word in a conference call one day after Republicans lost control of the House in midterm elections.
The officials who described Mr. Hastert’s plans did so on condition of anonymity, saying they did not want to pre-empt a formal announcement.
His decision to step down cleared the way for a likely succession battle. Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, the majority leader, is expected to run, and Reps. Mike Pence of Indiana and Joe Barton of Texas have also signaled they may make a bid for leadership positions.
