MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- House Speaker Paul Ryan says the fact that he faces a Republican primary challenger is part of a national trend that happens when "you stick out your head and lead."
Ryan said in an interview Monday on WTMJ radio in Milwaukee that facing a challenger for re-election to Congress "comes with the territory." Republican small businessman Paul Nehlen is running against Ryan, arguing that he's not conservative enough.
But Ryan says "the fact that my own colleagues in Congress drafted and recruited and elected me their speaker proves that I'm actually capable and good at doing my job."
Ryan still lives in Janesville, says he is there every week and that people in his congressional district "know me really well" after 18 years in office.
The primary is Aug. 9.
