Ryan wins GOP primary against challenger Nehlen

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus congratulated Ryan on what he called “a well-earned victory”.

Mr Ryan’s challenger, businessman Paul Nehlen, managed to get outsized attention by staging protests near Mr Ryan’s home. The district runs along the IL border from Janesville to Racine and Kenosha.

Unlike most candidates, Ryan was not gathering supporters together to revel with drinks, balloons and a band on Tuesday night. Wisconsin Republicans rewarded strong, principled leadership today.

“In times as uncertain as these, it is easy to resort to division”.

In a move to unite the party’s faithful as the big tent party of Ronald Reagan, Trump said at a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, “We will have disagreements, but we will disagree as friends and never stop working toward victory”. That stuff sells, but it doesn’t stick.

“It’s been one of the best experiences of my lifetime and I’m humbled that so many want to see my continue to work on their behalf”.

Trump touched off a firestorm last Tuesday when he refused to endorse Ryan for re-election.

The movement against the 46-year-old Ryan took on the appearance of a revolt of sorts, in the midst of an anti-establishment wave that helped make Trump the party’s presidential nominee. “We got the votes we were hoping and expecting to get all along”.

The victor will face Democrat Tom Nelson in November. Libertarian Jason Lebeck also will be on the ballot. But Ryan, who had downplayed the challenge, easily handled the businessman, with a almost 70-point win based on early returns.

He went into the primary with massive advantages in name recognition and money. He attracted the support of some anti-establishment figures on the right, including 2008 vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and commentator Ann Coulter.

Nehlen, an executive with a water-filtration company, aligned himself with Trump during the campaign. He spoke out against preying upon Americans’ uncertainty, echoing criticism of Trump’s campaign from Democrats and an increasing number of Republicans.

“It sounds just like a joke gone bad”, Ryan said.

Nehlen tried to use the speaker’s pro-trade views against him ahead of the primary. Nehlen drew condemnation from many in both parties for calling for “a discussion” about deporting all U.S. Muslims – a statement he later walked back. “I know Paul will continue to articulate his vision for a confident and strong America, and I look forward to seeing him return to Congress for another term as Speaker of the House”.

But unlike Cantor, Ryan retains deep ties to the district where he was born.