TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ Republican state treasurer has abandoned a campaign for an open U.S. Senate seat to challenge a first-term GOP congressman he describes as vulnerable to Democratic defeat.
Treasurer Jake LaTurner says Rep. Steve Watkins isn’t likely to win re-election.
LaTurner’s announcement Wednesday comes a week after former Gov. Jeff Colyer called on him to run for the eastern Kansas seat that Watkins narrowly won last year.
Following Wednesday’s announcement, Watkins’ spokesperson Bryan Piligra called the contrast between the two candidates clear, touting Watkins’ “life of service” compared to LaTurner’s “self-service.”
“Congressman Watkins is a war veteran, engineer, and conservative leader who votes in support of our President 93% of the time, ” he said.
Piligra called Laturner a career politician who has supported tax increases and labor unions.
Jake LaTurner’s entire career has been political ladder-climbing – and that climb ends in August.”
Watkins has faced internet rumors and speculation that he would resign but has tweeted that he is not stepping down.
LaTurner told The Associated Press that the speculation played no role in his decision. LaTurner says he worries that Democrats will win the seat if Watkins is the GOP nominee.
Watkins won by less than a percentage point last year as a political unknown.
