Washington (CNN) - House Speaker John Boehner said Monday he expects to be re-elected Speaker after the midterm elections, but he wouldn't commit to serving out another full two year term in the top post.
Speaking at an event hosted by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Boehner said "I am running for re-election I expect to be speaker."
[twitter-follow screen_name='politicalticker'][twitter-follow screen_name='deirdrewalshcnn']
But when pressed if he would remain in the post for another term, Boehner dodged the question, saying, "Listen, I can't predict what is going to happen. I am going to be 65 years old in November. I never thought I'd live to be 60 so I am living on borrowed time."
The Speaker reiterated his support for addressing immigration reform, an issue that deeply divides the House Republican conference. Boehner got into hot water last month with some conservatives when he mocked some of his fellow GOP members for complaining how politically difficult the issue is. He said they've been begging him not to force them to take a vote on it.
Some tea party-affiliated groups, already unhappy with Boehner's leadership pointed to those comments, along with the Speaker's support for some type of legal status for undocumented workers, as reasons why he should step aside.
On Monday, the Speaker acknowledged he still faces resistance from a group of his House Republican colleagues on immigration.
"I need to work with my colleagues and bring them along. And while I feel strongly about the need to deal with immigration reform I have got to bring these members along," Boehner said.
When discussing his approach to immigration Boehner repeated a line he’s used before – saying, “a leader without followers is simply a man taking a walk.”
Boehner said "it's very challenging" to move controversial issues during an election year, but he insisted that the political consideration about the Republican Party's future "has no impact" in his desire to pass immigration reforms.
"This is not about politics, it's not about elections. It's about doing the right thing for the American people, it's about doing the right thing for the country – period." Boehner said.
He repeated his support for passing immigration measures in steps, and said the "logical first step" would be focusing on border security.