WASHINGTON — The news of House Speaker John Boehner’s resignation brought hundreds of religious conservatives to their feet to cheer — and much of the Republican Party’s presidential class joined in.

“I’m not here to bash anyone, but the time has come to turn the page,” said Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who shared the stunning development with the crowd at the annual Value Voters forum in Washington, where the rowdy cheers spanned 30 seconds.

Emboldened tea party leaders across the nation celebrated, too, on a remarkable day for a GOP divided between its ardent ideologues and its pragmatic establishment. With less than five months before Iowa’s presidential caucuses, Boehner’s departure served as a victory for its conservative wing and a rallying cry for those who seek to ride its frustrations to the White House.

“If we are splintered, a moderate establishment candidate runs up the middle with 23 percent of the vote, steals the nomination and then loses to Hillary Clinton in the general election,” said Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. “We have a simple task before us. If conservatives unite, we win.”

The Republican establishment repeatedly beat back conservative challenges in the 2014 midterm elections, helping to give their party control of both chambers of Congress. Conservatives have been deeply frustrated ever since, as President Barack Obama enjoyed victories over congressional Republicans on health care, the Iran nuclear agreement and efforts to block federal funding to Planned Parenthood.

“John Boehner’s decision to resign ... is a victory for the millions of grassroots conservatives who worked tirelessly to elect conservatives to control the Congress,” said Jenny Beth Martin, president of the Tea Party Patriots.

Cruz, among his party’s leading agitators on Capitol Hill, said the political establishment in Washington “wants conservatives splintered.” He led the celebration of Boehner’s departure at the Value Voters forum by saying congressional Republicans for not fighting hard enough for conservative priorities.