The Hill News

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) wrote to Republican colleagues and members-elect on Thursday asking for their votes as he stands for Speaker.

Boehner, expected to succeed Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in the House's top office following Tuesday's election, reemphasized reforms from the House GOP's "Pledge for America" in a letter widely understood as a formality.

"If I am fortunate enough to serve as Speaker … we will run a much different kind of Congress," he wrote. "We will put an end to so-called 'comprehensive' bills rushed through Congress without scrutiny or debate. We will eliminate rules that make cutting wasteful spending hard and increasing spending too easy.

"It's the American Dream that brought me here," he went on. "Defending and restoring that dream for our children and grandchildren will be my mission as Speaker, if I am fortunate enough to serve. I humbly ask for your vote to serve as Speaker of the House in the 112th Congress."

Boehner is running uncontested as jockeying continues for other GOP leadership positions.