Politicswarren davidsonJohn BoehnerElections 2016

Ohio Voters Choose House Freedom Caucus Candidate To Replace John Boehner

The influential group of conservative lawmakers made the former House Speaker's life miserable in Congress.
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By 

Washington Bureau Chief, HuffPost

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House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) retired last year, setting off a crowded race for his seat.
Andrew Harnik/Associated Press

First, the House Freedom Caucus got rid of John Boehner. Now, it's on track to replace him with one of its own.

On Tuesday, businessman and former Army Ranger Warren Davidson won the GOP primary in Ohio's 8th district, which Boehner represented for nearly 25 years. Fifteen Republicans were vying for the chance to succeed the former House speaker, who announced his retirement late last year. 

It was a heavily symbolic victory for the House Freedom Caucus -- the influential group of conservative lawmakers that made Boehner's life miserable and contributed to his resignation from Congress -- whose super PAC threw financial support behind Davidson.

"This is the first open seat up this cycle, so we’re doing everything we can to win," Caucus Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) told The National Review last week. "The first one is always important. It just happens to be the former speaker's seat."

Jordan added that there's a strong chance Davidson will join the caucus if elected, which he's expected to be in the heavily Republican district. 

Davidson also had the backing of the Club for Growth, whose super PAC threw in more than $1 million to help him.

"With a strong message of economic freedom, Davidson came out ahead of a field of 15 candidates, including some career politicians," Club for Growth President David McIntosh said. "The Club's PAC is especially thrilled that Warren Davidson will enter the fight for economic liberty almost immediately."

Senate Conservatives Fund President Ken Cuccinelli said Tuesday night he was confident Davidson "will fight to balance the budget, fully repeal Obamacare, and stand up to the liberals in both parties."

Davidson wasn't the only candidate running against the establishment, i.e., Boehner and his legacy. 

"Talk to even a few candidates, and you get a sense that their stances are variations on the same theme: Less government interference and less regulation, lower taxes, strong national security and gun rights," The Columbus Dispatch wrote in February.

Davidson now moves on to a June 7 special election to fill out the remainder of Boehner's term. The winner would need to run for re-election in November to serve beyond that time.

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Before You Go

John Boehner Cries
Twin Tears(01 of15)
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Golf legend Jack Nicklaus, left, and Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) wipe away tears after listening to the remarks of Nicklaus' son Jack Nicklaus II during the elder Nicklaus' Congressional Gold Medal ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on March 24, 2015. Nicklaus was lauded by family, friends and politicians for his many sports achievements and his philanthropy. (credit:Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
Tearing Up(02 of15)
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Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) tears up during the ceremony to sign the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act in the Capitol on Feb. 10, 2015. (credit:Bill Clark via Getty Images)
(03 of15)
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This video image provided by House Television shows Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, on the floor of the House on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. (credit:AP)
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Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, on the floor of the House on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012.
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Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohion) seems to fight back tears while listening to Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress from the floor of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol March 9, 2011 in Washington, DC. Gillard emphasized the long and strong bond between her country and the U.S. (credit:Getty)
(06 of15)
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Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) seems to fight back tears while listening to Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress from the floor of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol March 9, 2011 in Washington, DC. Gillard emphasized the long and strong bond between her country and the United States. (credit:Getty)
(07 of15)
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Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) seems to fight back tears while listening to Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress from the floor of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol March 9, 2011 in Washington, DC. Gillard emphasized the long and strong bond between her country and the United States. (credit:Getty)
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Fighting back tears as he recounted his rise from humble beginnings to the presumed Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) addresses the Republican National Congressional Committee's midterm election results watch party at the Grand Hyatt hotel November 2, 2010 in Washington, DC. Major news organizations have said that the Republicans will win enough seats to take control of the House of Representatives. (credit:Getty)
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Fighting back tears as he recounted his rise from humble beginnings to the presumed Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) addresses the Republican National Congressional Committee's midterm election results watch party at the Grand Hyatt hotel November 2, 2010 in Washington, DC. Major news organizations have said that the Republicans will win enough seats to take control of the House of Representatives. (credit:Getty)
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House Republican leader John Boehner, R-OH, fights back tears as he addresses the National Republican Congressional Committee Election Night Results Watch event in Washington, DC, on November 2, 2010. An emotional John Boehner, the presumed speaker-elect of the US House of Representatives, told fellow Republicans at the victory party that Americans have sent President Obama message to 'change course'. (credit:Getty)
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Fighting back tears as he recounted his rise from humble beginnings to the presumed Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) addresses the Republican National Congressional Committee's midterm election results watch party at the Grand Hyatt hotel November 2, 2010 in Washington, DC. Major news organizations have said that the Republicans will win enough seats to take control of the House of Representatives. (credit:Getty)
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Astronaut Neil Armstrong (L) recievces the Congressional Gold Medal from Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) during a ceremony in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol November 16, 2011 in Washington, DC. The gold medals were presented to Armstrong and his fellow crew members from Apollo 11, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin, and to astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn (D-Ohio), the first American to orbit the Earth. (credit:Getty)
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Astronaut Neil Armstrong receives the Congressional Gold Medal from Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) during a ceremony in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol November 16, 2011 in Washington, DC. The gold medals were presented to Armstrong and his fellow crew members from Apollo 11, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin, and to astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn (D-Ohio), the first American to orbit the Earth. (credit:Getty)
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House Speaker John Boehner chokes up in an interview on CBS. (credit:YouTube)
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Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) wipes his eyes as outgoing Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) prepares to hand over over the speaker's gavel following his election in the House chamber January 5, 2011 in Washington, DC. (credit:Getty)
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