Written by Jeff Rumage

Mitt Romney announced Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) as his vice presidential running mate Saturday morning.

Ryan, 42, has served in the House of Representatives for 14 years, currently chairing the House Budget Committee and serving on the House Ways and Means Committee. In January 2010, Ryan gained attention nationwide after unveiling his "Roadmap for America’s Future."

Romney formally made his VP announcement on a tour of the U.S.S. Wisconsin in Norfolk, VA. In the announcement, Romney said Ryan is an "intellectual leader of the Republican Party."

Romney also said Paul understands that people can have honest disagreements without making personal attacks.

"There are a lot of people in the other party who might disagree with Paul Ryan, but I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t respect his character and judgment," Romney said.

• BREAKING: Paul Ryan is Mitt Romney's VP Pick: This is Patch's main story on the announcement, breaking just after Romney announced his choice via a smartphone app. It was updated to include excerpts from Ryan's acceptance speech in Norfolk, Va.

• Paul Ryan: "Thrilled to be a Part of America's Comeback Team": Here's the text of Ryan's speech as prepared before the official announcement with Romney in Norfolk, Va. In it, Ryan says Romney has the "courage to tell you the truth." 
• Paul Ryan's Rapid Ascension from Janesville Craig Grad to Romney's Running Mate: Who is Paul Ryan? Here's a report on his political history, characterized by a quick rise onto the national political scene.

• Photos: Mitt Romney's Running Mate, Paul Ryan, Works His Way Through Wisconsin: Here's a gallery we pulled together with photos of Ryan working in Wisconsin over the past year.