Rep. Jacob LaTurner’s decision to not seek reelection has left the field open for a competitive House race in Kansas. The surprising move by LaTurner has both state Democrats and Republicans scrambling to recruit candidates in a district that has historically leaned Republican. The 2nd Congressional District, which includes Topeka, Kansas City, and rural areas, has recently undergone redistricting that slightly favors Republicans but also includes a larger portion of liberal Kansas City.
LaTurner had a strong hold on the district, winning with over 57% of the vote in 2022. With his departure, Democrats see an opportunity to make significant gains in the upcoming 2024 elections. Kansas GOP Chairman Mike Brown expressed surprise at LaTurner’s decision and mentioned potential Republican candidates like state Sen. Chris Croft, former gubernatorial candidate Derek Schmidt, and state Sen. Karen Tyson.
Meanwhile, Democrats are looking to capitalize on the open seat, despite missing out on a strong candidate who switched to run for state office before LaTurner’s announcement. Shawnee County Democrats Chairman Keith Tatum remains optimistic about their chances and believes the district is more “purple” than red in rural areas.
As the race heats up, Republicans have begun to enter the field, with Schmidt declaring his candidacy and other potential candidates showing interest. While the race is rated as “solid Republican” by the Cook Political Report, Democrats are hopeful that with the right candidate, they can make the district competitive.
As the August primary approaches, both parties are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting and closely watched race in Kansas’s 2nd Congressional District.
