This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-37030708

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Paul Ryan primary: US House speaker fends off Republican challenge Paul Ryan primary: US House speaker fends off Republican challenge
(35 minutes later)
US House speaker Paul Ryan comfortably overcame a Republican primary challenge in the state of Wisconsin on Tuesday.US House speaker Paul Ryan comfortably overcame a Republican primary challenge in the state of Wisconsin on Tuesday.
With more than 65% of votes counted in the first congressional district, Mr Ryan had nearly 84% of the vote with his rival Paul Nehlen trailing on 16%. With nearly all votes counted in the first congressional district, Mr Ryan had 84% of the vote with his rival Paul Nehlen trailing on 16%.
The contest made headlines when Donald Trump initially backed Mr Nehlen.The contest made headlines when Donald Trump initially backed Mr Nehlen.
The Republican presidential nominee refused for three days to back the House speaker, and praised Mr Nehlen, a water company executive.The Republican presidential nominee refused for three days to back the House speaker, and praised Mr Nehlen, a water company executive.
Profile: House Speaker Paul RyanProfile: House Speaker Paul Ryan
Trump relents over Ryan re-electionTrump relents over Ryan re-election
"I'm humbled and honoured that Wisconsinites in the 1st Congressional District support my efforts to keep fighting on their behalf,'' Mr Ryan said in a statement to the Associated Press news agency."I'm humbled and honoured that Wisconsinites in the 1st Congressional District support my efforts to keep fighting on their behalf,'' Mr Ryan said in a statement to the Associated Press news agency.
Mr Ryan remains very popular in his home state, where he has kept close ties. But the intervention of Mr Trump a week ago put the spotlight on this primary contest.Mr Ryan remains very popular in his home state, where he has kept close ties. But the intervention of Mr Trump a week ago put the spotlight on this primary contest.
Mr Nehlen's supporters pointed to the unseating of then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in Virginia in 2014, by college teacher David Brat, as evidence that surprises can happen.Mr Nehlen's supporters pointed to the unseating of then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in Virginia in 2014, by college teacher David Brat, as evidence that surprises can happen.
Speaking ahead of the result, several voters in Mr Ryan's hometown of Janesville said they backed him.Speaking ahead of the result, several voters in Mr Ryan's hometown of Janesville said they backed him.
Bob and Maureen Becker said Mr Ryan, who is the highest ranked elected Republican in the country, went to high school with their daughters.Bob and Maureen Becker said Mr Ryan, who is the highest ranked elected Republican in the country, went to high school with their daughters.
"To me it was a no-brainer," Bob Becker told the Janesville Gazette."To me it was a no-brainer," Bob Becker told the Janesville Gazette.
But some voters disagreed. Joanne Simenson said Ryan was "a big spender, just like the rest of them" and said it was important to "send a message" by backing Mr Nehlen.But some voters disagreed. Joanne Simenson said Ryan was "a big spender, just like the rest of them" and said it was important to "send a message" by backing Mr Nehlen.