KS-02: Former Kansas governor calls for primary challenge to Rep. Steve Watkins
Former Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer is publicly encouraging Republican state Treasurer Jake LaTurner to abandon his campaign for Senate and instead primary Rep. Steve Watkins.
LaTurner, 31, is one of a handful of Republican candidates seeking to replace retiring GOP Sen. Pat Roberts. That list includes former Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who defeated Colyer in last year's gubernatorial primary only to lose the general election to Democrat Laura Kelly.
“The citizens of the 2nd Congressional District are solid, conservative folks who deserve to be represented by a Republican that shares their values,” Colyer said in a statement. “I’m calling on Jake LaTurner to end his campaign for the United States Senate and instead seek the Republican nomination for the United States House in the Second Congressional to ensure we keep the seat in Republican hands.”
Colyer’s statement didn’t mention Watkins by name but criticized the freshman for "poor fundraising and a lack of coalition building."
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/27/former-kansas-governor-steve-watkins-1685564