Paul Ryan Defeats Paul Nehlen in GOP Primary in Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District

WISCONSIN — There was a lot of talk and a lot of smoke, but the flaming wreck that is the on-again/off-again feud between Donald Trump and Paul Ryan did nothing to stop the Speaker of the House from fending off his primary challenger, Paul Nehlen, in Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District.

With 86 percent of precincts reporting, Ryan has 84 percent of the vote (50,562votes) to Nehlen's 16 percent (9,493).

Ryan will face Democrat Ryan Solen and Libertarian Jason Lebeck in the general election on Nov. 8.

Ryan (R-Janesville), the top-ranked Republican elected official in the U.S., has held the Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District since 1999.

Nehlen, 47, Delavan, who supports border security, immigration reform, reduced government spending and opposes the Trans Pacific Partnership, pledged his support for Donald Trump in May.

For a few days, Trump flirted with Nehlen on Twitter and implied he wasn't fully behind Ryan.

Donald Trump, Paul Nehlen and a Briefcase of Blues

The sparring between Trump and Ryan is well-documented.

A Mini Donald Trump

Nehlen, noting the apparent friction between Trump and Ryan, sought to capitalize on Trump's views, stating he also wants to build a wall to stop immigration, is also against the Trans Pacific Partnership, is open to deporting Muslims from the U.S.

Last week on Chicago AM 560's The Morning Answer, Nehlen pushed his anti-Muslim views more strongly:

“Islam is the only major religion that encourages lying,” Nehlen said. “If they lie, how do you vet something like that?”

“How do you implement the test that you want to implement?” the host replied.

“The question is why do we have Muslims in the country?” Nehlen said.

“Are you suggesting that we deport all of the Muslims in this country?” the radio host asked.

“I’m suggesting we have a discussion about it, that’s for sure,” Nehlen answered.

Trump Endorses Ryan ... And Nehlen Kicked Out

A week after Nehlen earned praise from Donald Trump, he was kicked out of his Green Bay rally, according to a report by the Daily Caller.

Nehlen was able to enter the premises of the rally before being urged to leave by individuals affiliated with the state party organization, according to his campaign. A Nehlen spokesman told The Daily Caller the Trump campaign had reached out and invited the congressional candidate to attend the rally earlier Friday.

Sarah Palin, noted Trump supporter and campaign-stop regular, backed Nehlen.

In the Patch readership area, Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District covers Racine County, as well as parts of Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties. If you live in Muskego, New Berlin, Franklin, Oak Creek, Greendale or Hales corners, you may have had this race on your ballot on Tuesday.

Poll Numbers Favor Ryan

According to a survey published Friday by the Remington Research Group, a national polling firm, had the Speaker out front. By a lot. So far, the actual vote tally closely mirrors Friday's poll.

Q: What is your opinion of Donald Trump?

• Favorable: 52%
• Unfavorable: 32%
• No opinion: 16%

Q: What is your opinion of Paul Ryan?

• Favorable: 80%
  
• Unfavorable: 14%
  
• No opinion: 6%
  

Q: What is your opinion of Paul Nehlen?

• Favorable: 16%
• Unfavorable: 47%
• No opinion: 37%

Q: The candidates in the Republican primary election for United States Congress are Paul Ryan and Paul Nehlen. If the election were held today, for whom would you vote?

• Paul Ryan: 80%
• Paul Nehlen: 14%
• Undecided: 6%

Survey conducted August 3, 2016. 1,157 likely 2016 Republican Primary Election voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2016 Republican Primary Election. Margin of Error is +/- 3% with a 95% level of confidence. Totals do not always equal 100% due
to rounding.