Former House Speaker Paul Ryan. Photo: Astrid Riecken/Getty Images.
Former House Speaker Paul Ryan on Friday announced plans to stump for Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.), one of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Trump.
Why it matters: Members of the Republican Party's old guard are increasingly coming out in defense of GOP officials targeted by the former president for disloyalty.
- Former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Mike Pence both held events for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's successful primary win against a Trump-backed opponent.
- Bush and Ryan have also held fundraisers for Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), another Republican who voted for Trump's impeachment and an outspoken member of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack.
What they're saying: Ryan, in a statement, said Rice is "a man of principle, a man of conviction, and a leader who always puts South Carolina’s interests first."
- The two will appear together at a luncheon later on Friday, according to an invitation from the campaign.
The state of play: Rice, like Cheney, faces a tough reelection battle against a Trump-endorsed candidate.
- The former president has already taken out one House incumbent, Rep. David McKinley (R-W.Va.), who voted for an infrastructure bill Trump opposed. The ex-president endorsed Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.) after the two were redistricted into one seat.