Topeka — A Kansas legislator is suggesting that the state treasurer should drop his bid for the U.S. Senate because he “needs to be at home, helping to raise his young children.”

State Treasurer Jake LaTurner responded Friday that state Sen. Gene Suellentrop’s comments were “cowardly.”

LaTurner is a Republican running for the seat held by four-term GOP U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, who is not seeking re-election in 2020. LaTurner is the only candidate to have filed so far, but at least seven other Republicans are considering the race.

The 31-year-old LaTurner has four young children.

Suellentrop is a 67-year-old Wichita Republican and made his comments in a tweet responding to a news report about the race.

LaTurner replied that Suellentrop should “be a man” and talk to him personally.