Elections

Paul Ryan Thanks Supporters, Doesn’t Mention Trump In Victory Speech

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Juliegrace Brufke Capitol Hill Reporter
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JANESVILLE, Wis. — House Speaker Paul Ryan didn’t mention GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump once in his vague yet upbeat victory speech Tuesday evening.

Surrounded by his family on stage, the Wisconsin Republican thanked nearly 200 supporters gathered at the Holiday Inn Express in Janesville, Wisc., saying he was grateful for the opportunity to represent them in Washington.

“It’s a great place, in a wonderful state, in the best country God ever created,” he told the crowd. “I’m so eager to get back to work for you, to get on with fixing our country’s problems. We have so much potential in this country, so much potential. And if we can just hap it. That’s what east ahead of us.”

While he alluded to the billionaire in his remarks, he did not refer to him by name, instead saying he was looking forward to seeing the election results.

“You know, by some account this is could be a really good night for America. This could be a good night for us. Fingers crossed,” he said. “Like you, I’m eager to watch.  I want to watch Ron Johnson’s race and many others. There are races we want to watch. I’m eager to watch the rest of the evening. I’m eager to enjoy joy this evening with you. So — I’m eager to enjoy this evening with you.”

Trump and Ryan have had a turbulent relationship throughout the course of the election, with Trump repeatedly attacking the speaker for allegedly not being supportive enough of his campaign. Ryan said in early-October he would not campaign or defend with the nominee following the leak of a 2005 video showing the candidate making lewd remarks about women, yet his endorsement remained in tact. He later said he was willing to attend a rally with the real estate mogul at an event in Wisconsin just ahead of election day, which was later canceled.

In the final days leading up to Nov. 8, Ryan crisscrossed the Badger State with GOP Sen. Ron Johnson — advocating for voters to get behind both the Wisconsin senator and Trump at the polls.

The speaker won his district by a landslide, defeating his Democratic challenger, Ryan Solen.

Ryan is slated to address the press again on election results tomorrow morning.

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