Politics

Incumbent, Stearns, Loses To Newcomer, Yoho

The veterinarian and grassroots conservative will represent the GOP in the general election

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Rep. Cliff Stearns, the Republican subcommittee chairman who pushed the GOP's probe of Solyndra and helped trigger the Komen-Planned Parenthood standoff, lost his seat to a political novice Tuesday in a stunning Florida primary upset.

Stearns lost to veterinarian Ted Yoho by 829 votes out of 63,684 votes cast — despite the advantages of incumbency, a high-profile role in pushing hot-button GOP causes on the Hill and a major cash advantage.