Posted on 02/02/2007 5:40:02 PM PST by Clintonfatigued
U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, a Democrat, has been in office less than one month, but potential Republican opponents in 2008 are starting to angle for a shot at making her a one-term congresswoman.
GOP festivities last weekend for Kansas Day propelled the names of two possible challengers: Jim Ryun, the five-term congressman that Boyda upset in November, and State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, who just won a second four-year term.
The 2nd Congressional District includes west Lawrence, Topeka, Manhattan and much of southeast Kansas.
Kris Kobach, new chairman of the Kansas Republican Party, said Boyda was one of the most vulnerable freshmen Democrats in the nation.
“Republican leaders in the 2nd District are very confident that that congressional seat can be taken back,” Kobach said.
In November, Boyda defeated Ryun 51 percent to 47 percent.
“That is an extremely narrow margin in a year that Democrats did exceptionally well. Ms. Boyda is not going to have much of a margin to play with,” Kobach said.
Ryun, of Lawrence, could not be reached for comment. He made some statements during the GOP’s annual Kansas Day weekend that suggest he may run again.
Also in recent days, Ryun has issued a written opinion piece critical of the new Democratic majority in Congress and criticized the media for coverage he received during the campaign.
Jennalea Linn, a spokeswoman for Jenkins, of Topeka, said Jenkins “was not shutting the door, but right now is focused on being state treasurer.”
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Jim Ryun blew it last year. He has no business running again.
That's quite possible. But if so, a strongly supported, high-quality primary challenger would be the answer. The fact that former Congressman Ryun wants to run again (also, Jeb Bradley, who lost his seat in NH), is at least an encouraging sign that what the pros call "quality candidates" (people with high name recognition and experience) on our side may be willing to run in '08. Even if Ryun isn't that good, he's a better-quality candidate than most unknowns or barely-knowns would be.
Better to have that state treasurer run.
I think that's generally right.
I also agree. If Lynn Jenkins runs, the seat is won. I think that even Democrats realize that.
How Conservative is Jenkins ? Despite Ryun's unfortunate problem with the real estate deal, his Conservative credentials were impeccable.
Unfortunately, Lynn Jenkins is supporterted by WISH List, which speaks volumes about her politics. But having her in Congress still brings the GOP closer to a majority. Nancy didn't so much win the election as Jim Ryun lost it.
In Maine Congressman Tom Allen may run against Sen. Collins. Already there's a democrat rushing to save Allen's seat if he does. Havent heard of any republican who may try to get Allen's seat.
Ugh, then that definitely rules out my supporting her. A pro-abort RINO in a Conservative district is a no-go. Put me down in Ryun's camp.
There is talk that former state House Speaker Doug Mays, who is pro-life but palatable to the RINO's, may also run.
Maybe we could persuade ex-Congressman Jim Longley, Jr. to run for it.
Perhaps Darlene Curley will try again. She did poorly last time, but that was 2006 against an incumbent Rodent.
Did she establish any name recognition last year?
Hmm. Though if Mays and Ryun run at the same time and split the Conservative vote, Jenkins will get the nomination. I'd have to think that would be a recipe for Conservatives to stay home and hand Boyda a 2nd term (much like with what happened when now-felon Adam Taff got the nod in Moore's district).
Portland has had a GOP Mayor twice (though that was via election to the City Council rather than by direct vote) in the past 20 years, named Cheryl Leeman. Maybe she could be a possibility ?
Conservatives wouldn't stay home in a Presidential election, barring extraordinary circumstances.
Hmm, you're right, but they could ignore a particular office with an odious candidate.
I can't get past the fact that Ryun lost a district that went overwhelmingly Republican in the past three Presidential elections, against a little-known candidate who had never won elective office before.
I wish that state Senator Jim Barnet would run (he's from the southwestern part of the district), but there is no evidence that he's interested.
Well, Boyda's was a rematch in a bad GOP year in a district that has been not entirely hostile to Dem Congressional candidates going back for 36 years. Prior to Ryun, Sam Brownback represented the district for a single term. From 1983-1995, the district sent a 'Rat, Jim Slattery, and also from 1971-1979 sent Dr. Bill Roy, the abortionist who nearly beat Bob Dole in '74, and Martha Keys succeeded him (we would've held the seat past 1983, but the Republican who beat Keys in 1978, Jim Jeffries, was regarded as a bit of a flake). This district was also where the establishment GOP refused to support a Conservative lady named Joan Finney, who would've easily dispatched Roy in 1972, and of course, we know what happened with her.
We can't let a good conservative district be represented by RINO. That's just a waste. Especially because RINOs in the House can easily become RINOs in the Senate. We need to run a little more of a risk and try to nominate a real Republican. If Jenkins wins, fine, but we shouldn't hand it to her by not opposing her.
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