Topeka ? U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins on Tuesday filed to run for re-election, calling Democratic opponent Margie Wakefield a liberal who was better suited to represent San Francisco than eastern Kansas.

U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Topeka, on Tuesday signs the necessary paperwork to run for re-election.

Neither Jenkins, a Republican from Topeka, nor Wakefield has drawn a primary opponent and the deadline to file for the primaries is Monday. The 2nd Congressional District they are vying to serve covers most of eastern Kansas including Lawrence and Topeka.

Wakefield, an attorney from Lawrence, issued a statement saying that now that both candidates have filed for office, they should debate “early and often.”

“Lynn Jenkins’ path is to give huge tax cuts to billionaires on the backs of seniors, working families and students. I believe this is the wrong path. We should debate these issues and let real Kansans, not Jenkins’ party caucus, decide the right path,” said Wakefield.

Jenkins, who is seeking a fourth two-year term and is vice chairwoman of the House Republican Caucus, said she can’t wait to debate Wakefield.

“The voters of the 2nd District have a clear choice in this race between myself: a sixth generation Kansan, farm girl, educated here in Kansas, and someone who grew up in Missouri, went to MU, a divorce attorney who believes in big government,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said Wakefield supports President Barack Obama’s major initiatives, such as the Affordable Care Act.

She later referred to Wakefield as a gal who carried water for Democrats and fit San Francisco politics more than those in Kansas.

Wakefield campaign manager Mark Sump responded to Jenkins’ comments, saying, “They’re trying to push hot buttons and stereotype things. We’re not going to fall into this trap going into the sewer.”

Sump said Wakefield has lived in Kansas for 35 years. He said Wakefield wants to fix the ACA, not repeal it.

Jenkins and her campaign have repeatedly referred to Wakefield as a divorce attorney.

“I think that is the way she describes herself,” Jenkins said. “That’s her profession, in stark contrast to being, I think, a certified public accountant.”

Sump said Wakefield describes herself as a family attorney.

As she filed to run, Jenkins said the most important issue of the campaign is creating more jobs.

Jenkins has served in the Kansas Legislature and as state treasurer. In 2008, she won the Republican nomination for the 2nd District, defeating former U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun, who had been ousted two years earlier by Democrat Nancy Boyda. Jenkins then went on to defeat Boyda.

Jenkins has easily won re-election since.