Kansas’ Derek Schmidt wins Republican nomination for Congress, marking political comeback

Former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt won the Republican primary for Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday, overcoming a crowded field of conservatives in a short primary cycle to become the heavy favorite to head to Washington next year.

Schmidt, who just two years ago lost a close gubernatorial election to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, now appears on the brink of a political comeback.

“Our country and so many Kansas families were better off under the previous federal Administration, and their successful policies,” Schmidt said in a written statement. “So I look forward to making our case, defeating extremist Kamala Harris and her allies, and working with President Trump — yes, to truly Make America Great Again for generations to come.”

The Associated Press called the race for Schmidt at 8 p.m. He fended off former Trump administration official Jeff Kahrs and former Kansas Livestock Association president Shawn Tiffany. The district spans much of eastern Kansas, including Topeka, Leavenworth and northern Wyandotte County.

Schmidt will face former Rep. Nancy Boyda in November. Boyda, who served one term before losing reelection in 2008, won a narrow victory over Matt Kleinmann, a community developer from Wyandotte County. When the AP called the race at 10:38 p.m., Boyda was up by just 723 votes.

Relying largely on name recognition and a series of attention-getting statements that broke with the status quo of the Democratic Party, Boyda was able to defeat political newcomer Kleinmann, who had been recruited into the race by the state’s Democratic Party.

Boyda told The Star that she believed Kleinmann was an excellent candidate, but that voters made the practical choice of supporting a moderate.

“They understand that only one fourth of the people in the 2nd District is a Democrat,” Boyda said. “And a moderate, an independent Democrat, is the one who will win in November.”

Boyda said she expects to make both Republicans and Democrats angry from time to time, will now enter a general election where she will need to convince Republican voters — particularly those inclined to vote for former President Donald Trump — to support a Democrat down ballot.

She quickly set about trying to distance herself from the national Democratic Party by saying she did not support allowing transgender girls to play in sports leagues that match their gender identity — breaking with her own party on an issue Schmidt emphasized while running for governor.

Boyda said she knew taking moderate stances had the possibility of costing her the Democratic primary, but that she wanted to have a consistent message.

“I do expect to see a non-traditional campaign, a sort of an outsider-type campaign, even though she used to be in Congress,” said Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University.

Republican advantage

Still, Boyda will be an underdog against Schmidt — a well-established Kansas Republican who was a member of the state Senate and served three terms as Kansas attorney general before challenging Kelly.

Schmidt was able to rely on his long electoral career to help quickly build support for his congressional bid shortly after the unexpected retirement of Rep. Jake LaTurner, a Kansas Republican who was seen as a rising star by many Republicans.n

Both Kahrs and Tiffany attempted to portray themselves as more conservative than Schmidt. Kahrs, who worked for LaTurner, was able to secure endorsements from former Gov. Sam Brownback and former Rep. Todd Tiahrt.

But the week ahead of the primary, Schmidt was endorsed by Trump, adding an important seal of approval to Schmidt’s already sizable lead in both fundraising and name recognition.

“Congratulations to Derek Schmidt on his primary election victory,” Delanie Bomar, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a written statement.

“Derek’s time as a state senator and Kansas Attorney General has prepared him well to fight for a secure border and to lower inflation. We have no doubt Kansans will send Derek to Congress in November,” Bomar said.

November’s election will also include Libertarian John Hauer.