Freedom Caucus-backed Warren Davidson has won the special election to fill former House Speaker John Boehner’s seat in the 8th district of Ohio.
The conservative businessman beat Democrat Corey Foister and Green Party candidate Jim Condit Jr. to take over a seat that had been held by Boehner for nearly 25 years.
Davidson stomped out 14 other Republicans in the March primary and had been expected to win the special election in the Republican-leaning district Tuesday.
Speaker Paul Ryan said Davidson will be sworn in later this week.
“We know Warren is a strong conservative leader — but he is also a small business owner. He understands first-hand the impact of an overbearing federal government,” Ryan said in a statement. “I speak on behalf of all my colleagues in saying: Welcome Warren, we look forward to working with you to get our country back-on-track.”
The representative’s seat had been empty for seven months since Boehner resigned in late October.
Despite winning the June 7 election, Davidson will have to run for re-election in November.
Freedom Caucus Chairman Jim Jordan, also from Ohio, had endorsed Davidson during his campaign. The newest member of Congress has not indicated if he will join the caucus though it would not be unexpected.
