Republican state Rep. Brian Bergkamp abruptly changed course Thursday, announcing in a social media post that he will run for reelection to the Kansas House after all.
The announcement came weeks after he announced that he would not run for the House so he could run for a seat on the Sedgwick County Commission.
“After careful consideration, prayer, and invaluable feedback from friends, colleagues, and constituents, I have determined that I am best positioned to lead and enact conservative reforms by running for House District 93 again,” Bergkamp posted.
He said it was evident that the polices of President Joe Biden and Gov. Laura Kelly “don’t align with the values of our state and continue to strain our family’s pocketbooks.
“It is essential that the Kansas Republicans maintain their ability to override Gov. Kelly’s veto which highlights the disconnect between her approach and the will of the people,” Bergkamp wrote.
Bergkamp’s annoucement immediately affects former state Rep. John Whitmer, who also announced plans to run for House District 93.
Whitmer said in a text message that he still plans to run for the seat.
“My decision to seek this seat hasn’t changed,” he wrote.
Whitmer had waited until Bergkamp publicly announced he was running for county commission before revealing his plans for a political comeback on his Wichita radio show.
Whitmer held the seat from 2015 to 2019. He was upset in the 2018 Republican primary by J.C. Moore by 60 votes.
Whitmer had already secured endorsements from former Gov. Jeff Colyer, House Speaker Dan Hawkins, Senate President Ty Masterson, Attorney General Kris Kobach, U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and Congressman Tracey Mann.
It’s not clear how Bergkamp’s change of heart will affect those endorsements.
