'Cowardly': U.S. Senate candidate blasts lawmaker who told him to stay home with kids

TOPEKA -- Kansas Treasurer Jake LaTurner called a state GOP senator and fellow Republican “cowardly” after he tweeted Friday that LaTurner should be at home raising his children instead of running for the U.S. Senate.

Sen. Gene Suellentrop of Wichita stood by his comments, saying that LaTurner’s response shows he isn’t “ready for prime time.”

The unusually public feud between two elected GOP officials suggests a bitter fight ahead as Republicans battle to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts in 2020. LaTurner is the only declared candidate, but a half-dozen other potential contenders may jump into the race for a seat that’s been in GOP hands for decades.

“Jake LaTurner needs to drop the race for Senate. Jake needs to be at home, helping to raise his young children, reading to them before bedtime, helping to coach their sporting activities. It’s not your time Jake!” Suellentrop tweeted Friday morning.

Read more: https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article229193519.html