Topeka ? Lawrence attorney Bob Eye on Friday formally endorsed fellow Democrat Tobias Schlingensiepen in the 2nd Congressional District race.

Last month, Schlingensiepen, a Topeka minister, won the Democratic Party primary with Eye placing second and Ottawa farmer Scott Barnhart finishing third.

Schlingensiepen faces U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Topeka, who is seeking a third term, in the November election. The 2nd District includes most of eastern Kansas, including Lawrence.

Eye said that Schlingensiepen “has demonstrated a commitment to listening and responding to the concerns of Kansans.”

Eye also said it was crucial that Democrats regain a majority in the House “to avoid further damage by the tea party radicals. Electing Tobias brings this imperative one seat closer to reality. I urge Second District voters to support Tobias. His election will send a message to Congress that problem solving is a higher priority than partisan rankling.”

Eye said he waited until now to endorse Schlingensiepen because generally voters don’t pay attention to political campaigns until after Labor Day.