Rep. Steve Watkins (R-KS), who was just indicted for voter fraud, has been defeated in a Republican primary challenge by Jake LaTurner (R), according to Decision Desk.
Six incumbent congressmen have now lost renomination this cycle.
GOP Candidate Hit with Accusations of Sexual Misconduct
“Acquaintances of Kansas congressional candidate Steve Watkins accused the Republican nominee of being unfaithful to his wife while claiming to be in an ‘open’ marriage, and of instigating alleged sexual misconduct while a resident of Alaska,” the Topeka Capital Journal reports.
“A major thrust of Watkins’ campaign has been a pledge to rely on Kansas values, Christian faith and military leadership skills to transform the political culture in Washington, D.C.”
GOP Candidate’s Adventure Claims Challenged
Steve Watkins (R), “a political novice who rode his profile as an outsider-adventurer to the Republican nomination in a competitive Kansas congressional district. is facing scrutiny about some of the biographical details he shares with voters,” the Kansas City Star reports.
“Watkins’ campaign website featured a since-removed testimonial to his ‘heroic leadership’ when a deadly earthquake shook Mount Everest during an expedition. He has acknowledged inaccurately claiming that he started a Middle East business, expanding it from three to 470 people. And there are doubts about Watkins’ self-description as a devoted, sixth-generation Kansan.”
The Cook Political Report rates the seat a Toss Up.
Democrat Runs with Pledge to Vote Against Pelosi
Paul Davis (D) announced his entrance into the race for the Kansas 2nd congressional district with a promise that if elected, “he does not plan to vote for Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the current House Democratic leader and former speaker of the U.S. House when Democrats last held the majority,” the Kansas City Star reports.
Said Davis: “This is a broken Congress right now, and I think the leaders of both political parties bear responsibility for that. And I think that we need new leadership in both political parties.”
Taegan Goddard
Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.
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