Topeka — Republican Jim Ryun is turning to old friends and colleagues for help as he mounts a political comeback, traveling this week to Texas, where Gov. Rick Perry is helping Ryun raise money for his 2008 GOP primary against State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins.
The winner faces Democrat Nancy Boyda, who beat Ryun in November, after he served 10 years representing the district that covers much of eastern Kansas.
Perry is backing Ryun at a gathering in Austin at the home of Sarah and Jimmy Mansour for $500 per person. Perry wrote in an invitation letter that Ryun will support "our views in Congress."
He said that conservative Republicans must do their part to fight back against such groups as MoveOn.org and People for the American Way.
"He has a consistent record of fiscal responsibility, supporting the president's tax cuts and family values," Perry wrote.
Kyle Robertson, Ryun's campaign manager, said the former congressman and Perry are longtime friends who share a passion for running. Ryun once held the world record in the mile.
"We are encouraged that personal friends and colleagues are willing to help with the campaign," Robertson said. "Part of preparing to run an aggressive race is undertaking extraordinary efforts to battle the liberal interests that invaded the race last time."
With the GOP primary still 13 months out, both candidates have collected sizable contributions.
Ryun had more than $300,000 on hand as of last week, while Jenkins had more than $286,000.
Comments
LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.
Kropotkin (anonymous) says…
Ryun, if somehow half the voters in the 2nd district develop amnesia, would certainly represent the interests of the greediest people in Texas. Jimmy (James M.) Mansour has raised millions to force the legislature to approve school vouchers. The plan is to starve public schools and to have working class and middle class people pay to educate the children of the wealthy in prep and religious schools. Heck, pay the home schoolers to "educate" their children in "creationism!"
Er, um, "Yeah! That's the ticket."
50YearResident (anonymous) says…
"Perry is backing Ryun at a gathering in Austin at the home of Sarah and Jimmy Mansour for $500 per person. Perry wrote in an invitation letter that Ryun will support "our views in Congress."
"Ryan will support our views in Congress" This quote should serve as a warning that Ryun is a yes man for the Republican Party. Why else would Texas (the home of the worst 2 presidents the US has ever had) be supporting him?
50YearResident (anonymous) says…
Why does a Kansas Congressional candidate got out of state to Texas to get campaign money? We all want to know the answer to this question!
purplesage (anonymous) says…
Interesting how not a word has appeared, or at least I have not seen it, about Lynn Jenkins fund raising efforts. They must be significant if she has $286K in the "war chest." Why is it such news that Jim Ryun raises money and it is no news that Lynn Jenkins does the same?
What this virtually assures is the return of Nancy Boyda to Congress. Ryun and Jenkins will tear each other to shreds in the Republican primary. I wonder how much Boyda has at her disposal while she sits on her heels, awaiting a bruised and bloodied opponent?
Agnostick (anonymous) says…
I realize that Texas, traditionally, is even more of a Republican state than Kansas... but I can't help but wonder if at least a couple of Texas Republicans facing an election next year aren't feeling a bit put out by this. After all, every dollar that leaves the state for somebody else's campaign is one less dollar that can be spent at home.
On the surface, Perry's move seems extremely impolite and discourteous to his fellow Texas Republicans.
And we all know about Ryun's desperation...
I can't say I'd be excited about reinstating one of the most wasteful spenders of federal/state tax dollars in Kansas. Records show that Ryun squandered more money on his "staff" than most other members of the Kansas delegation, including (so far) Nancy Boyda.
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
http://www.uscentrist.org
50YearResident (anonymous) says…
This may be a better question.
Why would a Texan want to spend $500 a plate to support Ryun?
Bubarubu (anonymous) says…
I'm hoping this means that Perry will end up on TV in Kansas now, supporting Ryun. Maybe we'll get another "I thought the camera was off, so I made an inappropriate comment" gaffe. Read about it: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conten...
Then go watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obLGOI...
Then buy a t-shirt: http://www.cafepress.com/buy/adios%20...
Agnostick (anonymous) says…
'Cause your good friend and governor, Rick Perry, is asking you to. Of course later, when you need a little somethin' from Austin, Rick might be able to help out.
Honestly, I don't know... I'm just as stumped as you are on that one...
--Ag
gop4life (anonymous) says…
Sebelius got most of her money from out of state and no one complained about that...
dagopman (anonymous) says…
Aggie-
Please post a link where Ryun spent more money on his staff than other members of the Kansas delegation.
And, please be fair. Ryun consistently voted against federal appropriations requests that exceeded the budget.
Raider (anonymous) says…
I'm a native Texan and still follow the political scene at home. I can tell you why Perry is supporting Ryun, and I can sum it up in three words: "Trans Texas Corridor".
Governor Perry is pushing through with the plan of a 12-lane superhighway (including rail lines) that connects the Mexican border to Kansas City and the trucks from Mexico won't go through customs until they get to KC. Most of the residents of the state oppose this, but Perry has done everythingin his power to get this done. Since the corridor will have to go through the state of KS to get to KC (it follows I-35) then he needs the support of the Senators from KS.
brooksjjj (anonymous) says…
I don't think we Kansans want to send a representative to Congress to look after the interests of Texans. Ryun is an example (yet another) of what is wrong with the Republican party: he's not interested in representing Kansans, but in being in power.
There's a reason you lost the last election, Mr. Ryun: you're not wanted. If you want to represent Texans, move to texas.