Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), a young conservative whom some have pegged as a future leader, said he is staying out of it.

“I have other stuff to worry about,” he said. “It’s not on my radar screen.”…

“I hope that she wins but, if not, I hope that Mr. Hoffman wins,” said Rules Committee ranking member David Dreier (Calif.), a member of the GOP leadership team. “But there is a Republican standard-bearer, and we’re supporting the Republican standard-bearer.”…

Pence, a potential 2012 presidential contender who is also a former Republican Study Committee chairman, has made it known that he will not back Scozzafava. The Hill confirmed Wednesday that Pence will continue to abstain from the race, even as other conservatives are making the leap to Hoffman.

“By staying out of it, these guys are sending a signal,” said Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “It’s an indication of the tension in the Republican Party.”