WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner defeated two tea party challengers Tuesday in his bid for a 13th term in Congress, brushing aside some GOP discontent over his leadership in Washington.
Boehner easily beat high school teacher J.D. Winteregg and businessman Eric Gurr in the GOP primary.
“I am humbled to have such strong support from the people of the 8th Congressional District, and I look forward to continuing to lead the U.S. House in addressing our shared priorities of jobs and the economy,” Boehner said.
The race drew attention after the Virginia-based Tea Party Leadership Fund spent $320,000 in support of Winteregg, a political novice, amid dissatisfaction among some GOP voters over Boehner’s stances in favor of immigration and raising the debt ceiling. Winteregg released an online ad poking fun at the “electile dysfunction” personified by Boehner.
Still, Boehner never faced a major threat, and he countered the primary opposition in the final weeks with a flurry of ads and campaign stops in western Ohio.
Also listed on the ballot was tea party candidate Matthew Ashworth, who recently withdrew.
Boehner faces token opposition in November from Miami University professor Tom Poetter, who beat restaurant supervisor Matthew Guyette in the Democratic primary.
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