[img_assist|nid=2984|title=U.S. Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) with former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro)|desc=Photo credit: PolitickerNH.com|link=none|align=center|width=425|height=319]

BEDFORD -- The leader of the U.S. House Republicans has waded into a competitive GOP primary in the 1st Congressional District and endorsed a former colleague.

U.S. Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) has endorsed former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro), who is running in a primary against former Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen (R-Manchester). Although Boehner endorsed his rival, Stephen said he looks forward to Boehner's endorsement in the fall.

"I'm here with my friend Jeb and I'm supporting him because he decided to run again," Boehner told reporters outside CR Sparks. "I think Jeb is a reform-minded member, when he was a member, continues to be a real reformer and someone we need especially in this fight over energy."

When asked why he decided to endorse a candidate in a Republican primary, Boehner said he doesn't "have any idea" about Stephen.

"I don't have any idea about him [Stephen] I know Jeb, we've been friends that's why I'm here.

"Do you have an opponent," Boehner said turning to Bradley. "I don't know anything about his opponent. I'm here to help Jeb."

Stephen, meanwhile, tells PolitickerNH.com: "I hope that Representative Boehner is also going to endorse our campaign to bring fiscal conservatism and New Hampshire values back to Washington D.C. I look forward to his endorsement when we win the primary."

Commenting on Boehner's quote about not knowing who Bradley was facing in the primary, Stephen said that "it is a really good thing that he doesn't know anything about me. That means I'm not a part of the same old crowd and I'm about bringing change to Washington."

Stephen later added: "Shouldn't John Boehner be in Washington helping to solve the energy problem."

Boehner said he was not worried about the consequences of endorsing Bradley.

"I'm going to do everything I can through Election Day to do the best job for my team and whatever happens after the election happens after the election."

Despite Boehner's endorsement, the National Republican Congressional Committee does not endorse candidates.

"The NRCC doesn't pre-primary endorse. We trust New Hampshire voters to elect the best nominee," NRCC spokesman Ken Spain said in a statement.