Topeka ? Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert has endorsed Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt’s bid for a Senate seat.

The Tiahrt campaign announced the endorsement Monday. Hastert, from Illinois, is the last Republican to have served as House speaker.

Tiahrt is running for the Republican nomination against fellow Congressman Jerry Moran. It’s likely to be the state’s hottest political race for 2010.

Tiahrt has represented the 4th District of south-central Kansas since 1995. Moran has represented the sprawling 1st District, which includes western Kansas, since 1997.

The Senate seat is open because Republican incumbent Sam Brownback is running for governor next year.

In a statement, Hastert called Tiahrt “a strong conservative leader.”