More publications are noticing after the government shutdown that conservative Republicans and groups are gearing up to challenge moderate and establishment Republicans in the 2014 election cycle.
As the Daily Beast notes, even House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) is being challenged by J.D. Winteregg from the Ohio Accountability Project. Winteregg has remarked that his campaign against Boehner sends a message “that no one is safe.”
In Idaho, Bryan Smith is challenging Rep. Mike Simpson (R), a Boehner ally. Smith has been endorsed by conservatives groups like the Club for Growth, the Madison Project, and Freedomworks. In Illinois, Rep. Rodney Davis is facing a challenge from Erika Harold.
In the Senate, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Thad Cochran (R-MS), and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) are all facing primary challengers as well. These Republicans have been referred to as “RINOs” (Republicans in Name Only).
As Breitbart News has reported, though, establishment groups will also be on the hunt for Tea Party candidates. Groups like the Chamber of Commerce have indicated they will back moderates over conservatives in nominating primaries. Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI), a Tea Party lawmaker, is already facing a primary challenge.
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