House Speaker Paul Ryan holds a commanding lead in the re-election race in his Wisconsin district, found a new poll that cast doubts on a spirited challenge in the Republican primary by a tea-party candidate.
Mr. Ryan led by 73 points among likely GOP primary voters in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District and enjoyed a 20-point advantage in a general election matchup against a generic Democratic opponent, found the Vox Populi Polling survey releasedFriday.
The poll provided clear evidence that at this point Mr. Ryan is not seriously threatened by a primary challenge from businessman Paul Nehlen, a tea party-allied Republican who has attacked the speaker for alleged “big-government spending” and other affronts to conservatism.
“It’s remarkable how well positioned Speaker Ryan is for re-election this year,” said Vox Populi pollster Michael Meyers. “Looking at the results it is clear that Ryan’s opponent is not mounting a credible primary challenge and in the general election Ryan’s numbers are incredibly strong.”
Mr. Ryan not only dominated in his primary contest, but he also led with every age group, both men and women, and carried a nearly 2-to-1 lead among independent general election voters, showed the poll.
Mr. Ryan has represented the district in southeast Wisconsin since 1999.
In the district, likely GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and likely Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton were tied at 38 percent in a theoretical matchup.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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