Kobach endorses Trump; Treasurer Ron Estes backs Rubio

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, right, says he has endorsed billionaire businessman Donald Trump for president.

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach on Monday announced his endorsement of New York billionaire Donald Trump for president, while State Treasurer Ron Estes fell in line with most other elected GOP officials endorsing Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

Kobach became the first major elected state official to endorse Trump, but his announcement came on the heels of endorsements from two other “establishment” Republicans, former candidate and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama.

Kobach, who has built his political career on his strident stands against illegal immigration, said that is his paramount concern in the 2016 elections.

“For me, the most important issue in the Republican presidential contest is immigration and its effect on our national security,” Kobach said. “On that issue Mr. Trump stands head and shoulders above the other candidates. He has made it clear that ramping up the enforcement of our immigration laws will be his top priority. And he has forcefully rejected the notion of giving amnesty to illegal aliens living in the United States.”

Estes, who has maintained a much lower public profile than Kobach since taking office in 2011, said one of his duties as treasurer is administering the state’s 529 higher education savings program, and he said he believes Rubio is the better candidate to address the rising cost of higher education.

“We must move beyond the idea of throwing more federal money at the problem and encourage a national conversation about the appropriate career education at the appropriate cost,” he said. “More than any other candidate, Marco Rubio has shown a passion for reining in the rising cost of higher education. Marco continuously demonstrates a desire to modernize an education system that has left far too many students unable to start their adult lives on solid financial footing.”

Most other elected Republican officials in Kansas, including Gov. Sam Brownback and U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, have thrown their support behind Rubio. Others, including 1st District Congressman Tim Huelskamp, have endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Second District Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins, whose district includes Lawrence, and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran have not endorsed any of the current candidates, although Jenkins was an early supporter of Carly Fiorina, who has since dropped out of the GOP race.

On the Democratic side, former Gov. and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has thrown her support behind former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

But a poll by Fort Hays State University last week showed the largest segment of Kansas voters in both parties were still undecided a week out from the March 5 caucuses.