Boehner to face college professor in U.S. House bid

5/6/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Ohio-Primary-2

    Campaign signs for Speaker John Boehner and one of his opponents, J.D. Winteregg, are posted on a road leading to a polling location, Tuesday, May 6, 2014, in West Chester, Ohio. Statewide a number of incumbent Republican lawmakers in Ohio face challengers in Tuesday's primary as they try to keep their seats this fall in the Statehouse and the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

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  • This Monday, May 5, 2014 photo shows House Speaker John Boehner speaking to employees during a tour of the Machintek Corp. plant in Fairfield, Ohio.
    This Monday, May 5, 2014 photo shows House Speaker John Boehner speaking to employees during a tour of the Machintek Corp. plant in Fairfield, Ohio.

    WASHINGTON — House Speaker John Boehner defeated two tea party challengers today 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 in a statement today after his primary victory. “With better solutions I know we can break America free from the Obama economy’s sluggish growth.”

    The race drew attention after the Virginia-based Tea Party Leadership Fund spent some $320,000 in support of Winteregg, a 32-year-old 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 that poked fun at the “electile dysfunction” personified by Boehner.

    Still, Boehner never faced a major threat, who countered the primary opposition in the final weeks with a flurry of ads and campaign stops in western Ohio. His campaign headed into the last month with some $3.3 million available.

    Also listed on the ballot was tea party candidate Matthew Ashworth, who withdrew from the race last week.

    Boehner faces token opposition in November from Miami University professor Tom Poetter, who beat restaurant supervisor Matthew Guyette in the Democratic primary.