Forget Trump, in Ryan’s district voters give him thumbs up

FILE - In this July 18, 2016, file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., speaks during a breakfast with Pennsylvania delegates during the Republican National Convention in Westlake, Ohio. Ryan and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz are about to test voters’ anti-establishment mood, first hand. Fifteen states from Florida to Arizona still have House primaries in an election year that’s seen both parties’ supporters seethe against Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) FILE - In this July 18, 2016, file photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., speaks during a breakfast with Pennsylvania delegates during the Republican National Convention in Westlake, Ohio. Ryan and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz are about to test voters’ anti-establishment mood, first hand. Fifteen states from Florida to Arizona still have House primaries in an election year that’s seen both parties’ supporters seethe against Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

By Associated Press August 3, 2016 1 min read

JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) – Donald Trump may be unwilling to endorse House Speaker Paul Ryan, but voters in Ryan’s southeast Wisconsin district are eager to embrace their congressman.

A Ryan supporter from his hometown of Janesville, 73-year-old Marilyn Barlass, says she likes everything about Ryan. She calls him sensible, down to earth, and an all-around nice guy.

Two other supporters, Joan Haney and her husband, Jim, say they plan to vote for Ryan in next Tuesday’s Republican primary. Joan Haney says can’t imagine Ryan losing.

Ryan’s once sleepy race against a little-known and underfunded challenger, an executive at a water filtration company, got a jolt when Trump refused to back Ryan.

Trump’s running mate, Mike Pence, says he’s endorsing Ryan with Trump’s blessing.