Republican Paul Ryan wins re-election in 1st Congressional District

BURLINGTON/KENOSHA (WITI/AP) -- U.S. Rep. and former Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan has been elected to a ninth term in Congress.

Ryan defeated Democrat Rob Zerban on Tuesday, November 4th.

Ryan has been known for his work on the federal budget but is expected to give up chairmanship of the House Budget Committee next year and shift to the powerful Ways and Means Committee as he considers a possible 2016 presidential run.

The Janesville Republican gained attention earlier this year with a proposal to merge up to 11 anti-poverty programs into a single grant program for states and the release of a book in which he described how losing his father at age 15 shaped his life.

This race was a rematch from 2012, when Ryan beat Zerban by about 12 points (55% to 43%) to hold his seat.

Ryan has served as the United States Representative for Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District since 1999 and as Chairman of the House Budget Committee since 2011.

Wisconsin's 1st Congressional District covers Kenosha County, Racine County and most of Walworth County, as well as portions of Rock County, Waukesha County and Milwaukee County.

Paul Ryan spent Election Night at the Veterans Terrace at Echo Park in Burlington.

Ryan's wife spoke with FOX6 News as the Veterans Terrace began to fill up with supporters Tuesday night. She says she and Ryan voted together Tuesday at the library in Janesville.

Ryan wrote an opinion piece that appeared in Tuesday's edition of USA Today, in which he asked voters to help Republicans take control of the United States Senate.

Ryan's name has been put out there as a possible 2016 presidential candidate. His wife addressed that on Tuesday night.

"We don't know. Tonight is the night we're focused on. We're excited about all that is in the future and we'll address that as it comes," Jana Ryan said.

“He’s one politician who has never deviated from what he said he was going to do. He’s just quite the guy," Ryan supporter Russ Milner said.

CLICK HERE to visit Paul Ryan's website.

CLICK HERE to visit Rob Zerban.com.