Paul Ryan Backing Shadegg

The Republican race to replace Tom DeLay as Majority Leader is firming up. While Missouri Rep. Roy Blunt claims to have the votes, Ohio Rep. John Boehner remains in the race. Then, late last week, Arizona Rep. John Shadegg entered the race. Wisconsin's Paul Ryan has sided with Shadegg and is one of three house members circulating a letter to colleagues today.

We are asking you to support John Shadegg for Majority Leader and to do it now.

We believe John is the right leader for this difficult time. The public is growing more weary of scandal each day and more demanding for a political party that is a party of true reform. This is, after all, why the voters entrusted the Republican party with the majority in the first place.

Colleagues, that trust is wearing thin. We are in danger of losing our majority in the House of Representatives unless we recommit ourselves to conservative principles and real reform.

The National Review Online has the entire letter here.

Who is Shadegg?