Republican Adam Taff on Monday formally announced his bid for a rematch to try to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore in the 3rd Congressional District, and called for increased troop strength and a requirement that young people spend a year in government service.

Taff, 38, and a former Navy fighter jet pilot, said he wouldn’t support reinstating the military draft, but “would be very encouraged to look at a system that would make some sort of mandatory obligation, whether it’s in the Peace Corps, whether it’s in the military — to give people 12, 18 months to serve our nation.”

In comments after a campaign rally at the Lawrence Visitor Center, Taff said more troops were needed in Iraq and in the National Guard.

In 2002, Taff, of Lake Quivira, was a political newcomer when he challenged Moore for the district that includes east Lawrence and Johnson and Wyandotte counties. Moore won, 50 percent to 47 percent.

Despite that defeat, Taff announced he was the front-runner in the 2004 election.

On Monday, Taff produced letters of support from U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kan.

One of those reading the letters at the rally was State Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, a former state senator from Lawrence. Praeger said she is a Taff friend and was asked to join the rally, but that she didn’t plan to make an endorsement in the Republican Party primary.

To get a rematch against Moore, Taff must win what promises to be a competitive GOP primary in August.

Two other Republicans have announced they are running — Kris Kobach, former counsel to U.S. Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft, and state Rep. Patricia Lightner, chairwoman of the Kansas House Insurance Committee.

Adam Taff announces his candidacy for U.S. Congress in Kansas' 3rd Congressional District at the Lawrence Visitor's Center. Taff, who lost to Democratic incumbent Dennis Moore in 2002, is the third Republican to challenge for the seat.

Kevin Yowell, campaign manager for Lightner, said the high-powered endorsements for Taff would mean little during the primary.

“This district has a tendency to rebel against money and endorsements,” Yowell said.

Kobach could not be reached for comment.

The congressional district is considered one of the most competitive in the nation by campaign professionals.

Despite having a Republican majority of voters, Moore upset a GOP incumbent in 1998 and has since fended off Republican challenges, partly because of GOP infighting over abortion.

Taff didn’t mention his Republican opponents, saving his criticism for Moore, whom he accused of “abandoning the very businessmen and women who have provided the quality of life we cherish in this district.”

Moore’s office issued a statement:

“Mr. Taff is one of three candidates to date seeking the Republican nomination. Should he survive the primary, Congressman Moore will correct his inaccurate statements at that time.”