Paul Ryan, speaker of the United States House of Representatives, has announced he won’t stand for reelection in the November midterms, making him the 39th house republican to step down since President Trump took office.
Number 40 followed an hour after Mr Ryan’s announcement, with Florida’s Dennis Ross also revealing his plans to retire.
Ryan said he wants to spend more time with his family and feels he has accomplished most of what he set out to achieve in the role, referring to the tax reform package he helped legislate late last year.
Democrats are confident the number of Republican representatives declining to stand for reelection foreshadows a very positive result for the upcoming midterms, suggesting their opposition under President Trump is disorganised and demoralised.