Wagle bails from U.S. Senate contest, Kobach formally files for GOP primary

Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle withdrew Thursday from the Republican contest for U.S. Senate, while former Secretary of State Kris Kobach affirmed his candidacy for retiring U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts’ seat by reserving a place on the August primary ballot.

Wagle, who had been pressured by state GOP officials to quit, said she wouldn’t file by the noon Monday deadline. That would leave a field of GOP candidates for U.S. Senate with Kobach, of Lecompton; U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall, of Great Bend; plumbing company owner Bob Hamilton, of Bucyrus; former NFL player Dave Lindstrom, of Overland Park; and four Republican longshots.

The Kansas Republican Party also urged Lindstrom, who also filed to be on the Aug. 4 ballot, to step aside in an attempt to narrow the field and reduce GOP friction.

Mike Kuckelman, chairman of the state Republican Party, said Wagle’s “selfless decision” brought the GOP a step closer in Kansas to avoiding a brutal primary beneficial to Bollier.

Read more: https://www.hutchnews.com/news/20200528/wagle-bails-from-us-senate-contest-kobach-formally-files-for-gop-primary
(Huthchinson News)