Intrigue centers on 2nd District: GOP’s Schmidt wins, Democrat race not settled
BY: TIM CARPENTER
Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — Three incumbents representing Kansas in the U.S. House didn’t sweat outcome of the primary election Tuesday — two didn’t even have an opponent.
It was the 2nd congressional district that generated the most interest because U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Topeka Republican, decided not to seek reelection. The opening attracted a field of five Republican candidates. It was a race highlighted by former Attorney General Derek Schmidt, who earned former President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Schmidt is seeking to rebound after losing the 2022 race for governor.
With more than 700 of 1,000 precincts reporting, the Associated Press and the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee declared Schmidt the primary winner. He built a comfortable lead with 50% of the vote and never relinquished it. Topekan Jeff Kahrs, endorsed by former Gov. Sam Brownback, and Council Grove feedlot owner Shawn Tiffany were far back at 20% each. The other candidates both had 5%.
“Derek’s time as a state senator and Kansas attorney general has prepared him well to fight for a secure border and to lower inflation,” said NRCC spokeswoman Delanie Bomar.
The Democratic Party’s primary in the 2nd District featured goat farmer and former U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda of rural Baldwin City and political newcomer and Kansas City community health advocate Matt Kleinmann, who played on the University of Kansas men’s basketball team.
Boyda had the congressional seat for one term from 2007-2008, which coincided with Kleinmann’s stint on KU’s national championship team. With 700 of 1,000 precincts reporting in the 2nd District, Kleinmann and Boyda both had 50% of the counted votes.
U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican in the 4th District drawn around Wichita, had no opponent. In November, he must go up against Sedgwick Democrat Esau Freeman.
Three-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, of the Kansas City area’s 3rd District, likewise had no primary challenger.
“I’m deeply grateful for the continued trust of the people of Kansas’ Third District,” Davids said. “As we move forward, my focus remains on addressing the real issues that matter to hardworking folks — lowering costs, improving access to affordable health care, combating extremism and protecting individual freedoms and reproductive rights.”
Davids, who is completing her third term in Congress, would face winner of the Republican primary between Prasanth Reddy and Karen Crnkovich. Based on preliminary returns from 600 of the 700 precincts, Reddy led Crnkovich 53% to 47%.
In the 1st District, which was transformed through redistricting into a bizarre mix of the Democratic enclave of Lawrence and the conservative Republican western portion of the state, U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann easily defeat GOP opponent Eric Bloom of Lawrence. Mann received about 85% of the vote.
The Democratic Party’s nominee in that congressional race is Paul Buskirk, a Lawrence educator, who had no competition in the primary.
“As I have been traveling across the 60 counties in the Kansas 1st District since February, I have met extraordinary Kansans from all walks of life and from all backgrounds,” Buskirk said. “The one absolute common frustration — from Republicans, Democrats and independents alike — Washington spends all of its time fussing and bickering about ideology and party affiliations. Our representatives — elected and appointed — have lost sight of what serving the needs of their constituents truly means.”