Incumbent, Stearns, Loses To Newcomer, Yoho

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

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.