Politics | Cliff Stearns Florida Primary: Tea Partier Beats Veteran Congressman Cliff Stearns leaving House after 24 years By Evann Gastaldo Posted Aug 15, 2012 1:27 PM CDT Copied Cliff Stearns presides over a subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg) After 24 years in the House, Cliff Stearns has been booted by a Tea Partier with no political experience. Stearns conceded defeat in the Florida GOP primary today, Roll Call reports, saying in a statement that "there are not enough provisional ballots to make up the difference" he would need to win. The congressman says he has spoken to veterinarian Ted Yoho and that he "[wishes] him the best in his effort to represent the wonderful people of north central Florida." Yoho had 34% of the vote and Stearns 33% in what Politico calls a "stunning" upset. Read These Next Lily Allen's 'revenge dress' literally has the receipts. Two animals thought to have vanished 6K years ago are back. Rumors of Iran invasion swirl after Army calls off major drill. After 12-year-old boy's crash on e-motorcycle, his dad is charged. Report an error