Boehner's decision to leave the House surprises constituents

WEST CHESTER, Ohio (AP) — People in the Ohio district that House Speaker John Boehner has represented for decades are stunned by his decision to step down, nearly 35 years after he first won election there as township trustee.

Cincinnati Tea Party leader Ann Becker, also of West Chester, has criticized Boehner over such issues as national debt and the federal role in education.

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, a Republican who flirted in the past with challenging Boehner, said he was getting phone calls from potential supporters.

Miami University political scientist Bryan Marshall said the 8th district will miss Boehner's clout.

Supporters noted the announcement came after a high point for Boehner, who attended a Catholic high school and Xavier University.

Boehner indicated in January he was unsettled by disclosure that a Cincinnati-area man was charged with plotting a terrorist attack against the U.S. Capitol.