Paul Ryan had to be coaxed into taking the speaker's gavel in 2015 and never seemed to relish the job. Rumours had been swirling in conservative circles for months that he was eyeing the exits.

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) served 269 days in the top job before being ousted, former Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) held the gavel for just over three years, and former Speaker John ...