Growing numbers of House Freedom Caucus members are receiving assistance in their races from House Speaker Paul Ryan despite rumors that some in the powerful group of roughly 40 conservatives are looking to oust the Wisconsin Republican.
The group, which could potentially gain more influence if moderates in battleground districts lose their seats, appears to split in terms of support, but the presence of disagreements hasn’t stopped Ryan from assisting vulnerable members in his effort to hold the majority.
While dissent between the HFC and GOP leadership has been evident on an array of issues throughout the year — ranging from the length of stop-gap spending measures to whether hearings should be held to impeach the IRS commissioner — Ryan built a solid working relationship with numerous members.
The Wisconsin Republican directly contributed to more than a quarter of Caucus members, including Reps. Mick Mulvaney of South Carolina, Alex Mooney of West Virginia, Mark Sanford of South Carolina, Barry Loudermilk of Georgia and Warren Davidson of Ohio, with Ryan reportedly providing nearly $100,000 to the aforementioned races.
“Bottom line, Ryan’s political organization, Team Ryan, works with all members of the House Republican conference – from the Tuesday Group to the Freedom Caucus – so the entire team is in a position to succeed on Nov. 8,” a source familiar to the situation told The Daily Caller News Foundation. “This is why Republicans will again be governing the House in the year ahead.”
The speaker also hit the campaign trail with Iowa Rep. Rod Blum, who in a tight race against Democrat Monica Vernon, and maxed out on contributions to his campaign.
“Since becoming speaker, Paul has been extremely helpful in our race,” Blum told TheDCNF in an email Monday. “He hosted a fundraiser for us in Washington, came out to Iowa to do an event with us this summer, and is actually visiting the district again this week. Speaker Ryan is a respected leader and his support has encouraged more folks to get involved in our race.”
The Iowa congressman said he hasn’t given much thought to the timing of leadership elections, but plans to cast his vote for Ryan.
A fundraiser held by Ryan in New York for vulnerable New Jersey Rep. Scott Garrett raised nearly $100,000 for his race.
“I’m proud to have received Speaker Ryan’s support for my re-election and appreciate that he knows we are up against a Washington insider who is bankrolled by the Clinton machine and Nancy Pelosi,” Garrett told TheDCNF in a statement. “His support keeps us doing the same hard work he’s doing of protecting our majority, and I completely support him as he does important work all around the country to elect Republicans.”
Ryan raised nearly $50 million this year for down-ballot candidates, $31 million of which was transferred to the National Republican Congressional Committee. The House Freedom Fund, the HFC’s unofficial PAC, raised $1,231,004 in 2016, to be used in reelecting group members.
With some blaming the speaker for Kansas Rep. Tim Huelskamp’s primary loss in August and others alleging he isn’t supportive enough of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, the season is ripe for leadership contests. In fact, a select group of Caucus members from deep-red districts are floating the idea that leadership elections be pushed back, allowing them to make a decision after a year-end spending deal is reached.
HFC Chairman Jim Jordan said he’s focusing on the election and will deal with the issue at a later date. Ryan was featured as a special guest at a birthday fundraiser for Jordan in February.
“I’m not saying anything,” Jordan told CNBC’s John Harwood Thursday. “I’m just saying, ‘Look, Paul Ryan’s a good man, he’s a friend, but we are focused on getting Donald Trump elected and being the next president of the United States.”
The HFC communications director has yet to respond to TheDCNF’s repeated requests for comment.
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