MN Tea Party Alliance targets Emmer for Boehner vote
It wasn't too long ago that Tom Emmer was considered a darling of the tea party movement.
But on his first day representing Minnesota's 6th Congressional District, Emmer has angered the base that supported his campaign by voting to re-elect Ohio Rep. John Boehner as U.S. House Speaker.
Boehner faced opposition from some of the most conservative members of his caucus who believe he has too often supported excessive government spending and regulation.
"Minnesotans from Congressional District 6 put a man in office with the expectation that he would fight for smaller government and more liberty," said a press release from the Minnesota Tea Party Alliance. "However, in his first real test vote as a conservative, Tom Emmer voted wrong and against the wishes of his conservative base by voting for John Boehner as Speaker.
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Last summer, the Tea Party Alliance hosted a "meet-and-greet" for Emmer. And the former GOP gubernatorial candidate was endorsed by the Tea Party Express during his bid for Congress.
UPDATE: In a press release, Emmer said he was not approached by other candidates for Speaker.
"Two months ago, the Republican Conference met and nominated potential candidates for the 114th Congress. No opposition to the current Speaker came forward, nor were any alternatives offered. While several members threw their hats in the ring over the past 72 hours, I was never approached or contacted by any new contender asking for my support or sharing their plan and why they believed they should receive my vote. There will be times I will vote with leadership and times I will vote against leadership, but at all times, I will be pushing for what is best for the people of the 6th District."