Leavenworth prosecutor, state lawmaker weighing runs for Congress as Kansas rep LaTurner exits

U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner’s sudden announcement Thursday that he won’t seek reelection upended the race for Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District, with Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson and Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft both weighing a candidacy.

“I appreciate what Jake’s done. I really am going to have to look into it. I think I’m surprised as a lot of people that it’s happened and just haven’t even had time to process it,” Thompson told The Kansas City Star.

Thompson, who is up for reelection as county attorney this year and has been the county attorney since 2009, said the next member of Congress needs to continue to work on building up the economy and getting industries and people into the district. He also spoke about the damage of fentanyl, saying stronger criminal penalties are needed.

Thompson said he needs to speak with his family to determine whether the time would be right for a campaign. He also said he would weigh his current job and community, adding that “I do love what I do.”

Croft, who publicly lists an Overland Park address, doesn’t appear to live in 2nd District, which spans much of eastern Kansas. U.S. House members are not required to live in the districts they represent.

“I have dedicated my life to public service with 30 years of military service, two deployments to the Middle East, and six years in the legislature. Connie and I are prayerfully considering whether or not a run for Congress would be the best way to continue that public service and fight for conservative wins in Kansas,” Croft, a retired Army colonel, said in a statement.

The 2nd District last had a wide-open race in 2018, when 10 Republican candidates ran in a primary won by Steve Watkins, who went on to win the general election. Two years later, LaTurner defeated the scandal-plagued Watkins in a primary challenge.

“My expectation is that there’s a long list,” Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, said. “While he did tell me that he was not running again, no one has called to tell me they’re running yet.”

Minutes later Croft announced he is considering a campaign. Thompson returned a call from The Star a few minutes after that.

The list of potential candidates is long. Other names already circulating in GOP circles on Thursday afternoon included former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and LaTurner staffer Jeff Kahrs. State Sens. Dennis Pyle and Caryn Tyson have also previously run for Congress.

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