Ryan confirms, back on the campaign trail “full time;" Boyda win an "anomoly"

[Mabus]

January 29, 2007
Ryun To Run Again

From CongressDailyPM:

Former Rep. Jim Ryun, R-Kan., confirmed this afternoon he would run again for Congress next year, and picked up early encouragement for his comeback attempt – but he still faces the possibility of a strong primary challenge. Ryun -- who lost a re-election bid last November to now-Democratic Rep. Nancy Boyda -- said in an interview that he had been mulling another run for the House, but wanted to wait until the state GOP’s annual Kansas Days gathering this past weekend to gauge support and reveal his intentions. “I needed time to reflect on the last election and see what kind of support I had,” Ryun said.

After holding the seat since 1996 Ryun – a onetime Olympic runner -- lost the state’s 2nd District to Boyda by a 51-47 percent margin last year. Ryun said he would soon be back on the campaign trail “full time,” and described his defeat as an election anomaly in a bad political year for Republicans. “There was a surge that came through,” he said. “I was on the wrong corner ad the wrong time.” Ryun, a social and fiscal conservative, demurred on the question of possible primary opposition; state Treasurer Lynn Jenkins is mulling the race. Ryun instead trained his rhetorical fire on Boyda, whom he said does not represent the “Kansas values.” Declared Ryun: “She’s not a conservative. She’s a liberal.” (MARK WEGNER)

Caryn Tyson, the 2nd District GOP chairwoman, said Ryun had received standing ovations Saturday at Kansas Days meetings and had picked up encouragement from GOP Sen. Pat Roberts and GOP Rep. Todd Tiahrt. “Roberts put his arm around Congressman Ryun and said, ‘We need to have Ryun back in Congress,’” Tyson recalled. But a Roberts spokeswoman said today Roberts did not make a formal endorsement. “Senator Roberts worked closely with former Congressman Ryun during his 10 years in Congress, and they are good friends -- but while there are other Republicans friends considering whether to run, he will not take a position if there is a primary,” she said. A Tiahrt spokesman said Tiahrt first urged Ryun to run for Congress in 1996, and wants to see him return. “Congressman Tiahrt will be supporting the congressman, who got caught up in a bad political year,” the spokesman said.

Next year’s primary has the potential to reignite the conflict between conservative and centrist wings of the Kansas GOP. Most observers are watching to see whether Jenkins – a former state legislator regarded as more moderate than Ryun –gets into the race. A spokeswoman said Jenkins, who just won a second term as state treasurer, has not ruled out a run for Congress. “She’s looking at her options,” the spokeswoman said. Divisions within the state GOP have undermined efforts to defeat Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Rep. Dennis Moore, who are both Democrats. Other Republican names for the 2nd District have surfaced, but sources said they are unlikely to challenge Ryun in a primary. They include Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh, who is positioning himself for a possible 2010 run for governor; state Rep Lee Tafanelli, former state House Speaker Doug Mayes and Alan Cobb, state director of Americans for Prosperity.—by Mark Wegner

Posted at 03:35 PM

link: http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/01/ryun_to_run_aga.html

[JeremyWestenn]

1. /barf

Honestly, I have to wonder how we would have faired had Ryun actually campaigned in the 2006 election... Tell me, do you think we have a better chance if he wins the primary or if he looses?

Let's do everything we can to keep our district blue. <_<

[BuelahWitch]

2. Can't that mofo get a real job?

Maybe he should go back to school and learn medical coding or something...