Posted on 09/18/2009 6:03:59 AM PDT by Non-Sequitur
Steve Rose, the longtime publisher of the Johnson County Sun and well-known civic leader, said Wednesday that he’s running for Congress.
Rose, 61, said he would campaign as a Republican in Kansas’ 3rd District. If he wins the GOP nomination, he presumably would face six-term Democratic incumbent Dennis Moore.
Rose acknowledged that he had endorsed Moore repeatedly over the years in his Sun column. But Rose said Moore had changed.
“I think that under the current administration it’s a much further left government,” Rose said. “And Dennis Moore is voting with them. I think he’s left the mainstream of his constituency.”
Moore has been criticized this year for backing cap-and-trade legislation and the stimulus and bailout packages. He favors health care reform, including the public option.
“The election is more than a year away, and Congressman Moore is going to keep his focus on the challenges facing our nation,” a Moore campaign spokesman said Wednesday in response to Rose’s announcement. “He’s going to continue to work hard for the constituents of the 3rd District.”
The only other Republican actively campaigning is former state Rep. Patricia Lightner, who told supporters this week in an e-mail that she was launching radio ads next week.
State Rep. Kevin Yoder, an Overland Park Republican, said he also expects to run. Other Republicans mentioned as possible contenders are state Sen. Jeff Colyer of Overland Park and former state Sen. Nick Jordan, the 2008 GOP nominee who lost to Moore.
(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...
LUPINS! BLEEDING LUPINS!!!
Well that was quick. Lightner must be thrilled - Rose was the only moderate that could really give her a run for her money - but I imagine Moore is even more thrilled.
Personally I think he stepped aside as there is a DR. from Mission Hills who is thinking about entering and has the personal money to finance a campaign to beat Dennis Moore. Another name is a guy from Stanley named Yoder?
Yoder is the state rep from the 20th district. He’s also the appropriations chairman, and while a conservative he’s considered a bit more moderate than Pat Lightner. If he and Reintjes both run, and if Colyer and Jordan both run again, then it’s a crowded field.
I financially supported Nick in 08 but he didn’t get close enough. That fact and age will hurt him in 2010.
I hear good things on Yoder.
I don’t think Colyer woud be supportable by many moderates in JOCO.
Colyer is becoming a bit of a joke - he’s run for everything in sight with his Hummer painted to advertise his office of the year. In a race between him and Lightner, I think Pat wins hands down. Lightner wouldn’t attract much moderate support, either. A lot will depend on how much Moore’s recent votes will hurt him. He’s had to take some unpopular positions lately.
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