Paul Ryan is Mitt Romney's VP Pick

Mitt Romney announced Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) as his Vice Presidential running mate this morning, according to a press release from the campaign this morning.

Ryan, who is in his seventh term in Congress, is Chairman of the House Budget Committee and serves on the House Ways and Means Committee. He is well known for his conservative plans for reducing the federal budget. In January 2010, Ryan gained attention nationwide after unveiling his “Roadmap for America’s Future.”

The pick means that Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, long considered a serious contender and even a front-runner, won't be joining Romney's ticket.

Ryan was born in Janesville, Wisconsin on January 29, 1970. A fifth-generation Wisconsin native, Ryan was the youngest of four children born to Paul Ryan Sr., who worked as an attorney, and Betty, a stay-at-home mom.

In April 2000, Ryan proposed to Janna Little, a native Oklahoman, at one of his favorite fishing spots, Big St. Germain Lake in Wisconsin. Later that year, the two were married in Oklahoma City.

The Ryans reside in Janesville with their three children, Liza, Charlie and Sam. The family are parishioners at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, according to the release.

Upon entering Congress in January of 1999, Ryan was the youngest member of the freshmen class at the age of 28. Prior to running for Congress, Ryan served as an aide to Republican Senators Robert Kasten Jr. and Sam Brownback, former U.S. Rep. and Vice Presidential Candidate Jack Kemp, and as a speechwriter for Education Secretary William Bennett, according to the release.

Ryan is a graduate of Joseph A. Craig High School in Janesville, Wis., and earned degrees in economics and political science from Miami University in Ohio.  He is an avid outdoorsman and is a member is of his local archery association, the Janesville Bowmen, according to the release.