Steve Watkins

TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Ron Estes of Wichita has endorsed state treasurer Jake LaTurner over incumbent Steve Watkins in the 2nd District congressional race.

Estes cited the three felony charges and one misdemeanor charge filed against Watkins this week. He said Watkins' eastern Kansas seat will be in danger if he wins the GOP primary.

The Democratic mayor of Topeka has kicked off a campaign to challenge freshman Republican Rep. Steve Watkins.

Michelle De La Isla told The Topeka Capital-Journal that she would concentrate on access to health care, job creation and infrastructure in advance of her formal announcement Monday that she is running for the 2nd Congressional District seat. The district includes Topeka, Lawrence, Ottawa, Leavenworth and Pittsburg.

TOPEKA — Republicans are going after one of their own in Kansas.

Some party members who helped a political novice squeak to victory in a 2018 race for an eastern Kansas seat in Congress have turned on him in favor of the state treasurer, roiling a district where President Donald Trump enjoys solid support and the incumbent has attacked the impeachment inquiry.

Defectors from freshman Rep. Steve Watkins’ camp include an ex-congressional aide who managed his 2018 general election campaign but is now a consultant for his opponent, State Treasurer Jake LaTurner.

Editor's note: This story was updated on Oct. 2 to include comments from Sen. Jerry Moran. 

The state’s four congressional representatives and Sen. Jerry Moran have weighed in after this week’s announcement from Speaker Nancy Pelosi that the House of Representatives will move forward with an impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump.

Former Kansas Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer on Tuesday urged the state treasurer to drop his Senate bid and instead challenge freshman Rep. Steve Watkins in the GOP primary, arguing the move would help “nominate a candidate that can win.”