Topeka ? Former congressman Jim Ryun, whose district included west Lawrence, has endorsed U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt’s bid for the U.S. Senate.

Tiahrt, R-Goddard, faces U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, in the 2010 Republican Party primary for the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback, a Republican who is running for governor.

In a letter, Ryun praised Tiahrt as an effective congressman who stands strong against abortion and will be needed “to fight the liberal agenda being pushed” by President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Ryun added, “We have no use for another politician who fades into the background out of fear that he will offend someone and not win 80 percent of the vote in his next election against token opposition.”

Ryun represented the 2nd Congressional District for 10 years before being defeated by Democrat Nancy Boyda in 2006. Ryun sought the GOP nomination for the seat in 2008 but was defeated in the primary by Lynn Jenkins who then went on to defeat Boyda.