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Paul Ryan Easily Wins the Wisconsin Primary

By
Lissandra Villa
Lissandra Villa
,
TIME
TIME
, and
Michelle Toh
Michelle Toh
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Lissandra Villa
Lissandra Villa
,
TIME
TIME
, and
Michelle Toh
Michelle Toh
Down Arrow Button Icon
August 9, 2016, 11:29 PM ET
House Speaker Paul Ryan Holds Primary Night Event In Janesville, Wisconsin
JANESVILLE, WI - AUGUST 09: House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks at his Primary Night press conference, August 9, 2016 in Janesville, Wisconsin. Ryan defeated Republican challenger, Paul Nehlen for the first district primary election. (Photo by Darren Hauck/Getty Images)Darren Hauck/ Getty Images

This article originally appeared on Time.com.

Paul Ryan handily beat his main challenger in his state primary on Tuesday, sending the Speaker of the House on to the November election.

The Associated Press called the vote for Ryan about half an hour after polls closed, leaving his long-shot opponent in Wisconsin’s first district, Paul Nehlen, to face defeat.

Nehlen was praised on Twitter by Republican nominee Donald Trump earlier in August in a public gesture that shook up the race. Trump withheld an endorsement from Ryan until last week.

See also: Pence ‘Strongly’ Endorses Ryan a Day After Trump Says He’s ‘Not There Yet’

Nehlen, a businessman, had also received an endorsement from former Gov. Sarah Palin.

Ryan and Trump have clashed before, most recently when Ryan defended the gold star Khan family, who engaged in a back-and-forth with Trump after their appearance at the Democratic National Convention.

“In times as uncertain as these, it is easy to resort to division. It’s simple to prey on people’s fears. That stuff sells, but it doesn’t stick. It doesn’t last. Most of all, it doesn’t work,” Ryan said in his remarks to reporters after the race was called.

See also: Here Are All the Billionaires Backing Donald Trump

He also took questions from reporters about Trump’s controversial Second Amendment remarks from Tuesday, which have been interpreted by many as suggesting that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, or her appointed judges if she were elected, should be shot.

Ryan said: “I heard about this Second Amendment quote. It sounds like a joke gone bad. I hope he clears it up very quickly. You should never joke about something like that.”

Ryan took over his speaker position after John Boehner retired in 2015. He is serving his ninth term.

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