The former president of the Kansas Livestock Association said Thursday morning that he plans to run for the 2nd Congressional District seat that will be vacated by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, who is not seeking reelection.
In an interview with the Sunflower State Journal, Shawn Tiffany, the owner of Tiffany Cattle Co., said he plans to run as a Republican for the seat that has drawn widespread attention since LaTurner surprised many when he announced he wouldn’t run for a third term.
“My wife and I have decided this is the right thing both for our family but we believe for our district and state as well,” Tiffany said.
“I think I bring an outside perspective, a businessman’s perspective, an entrepreneur, somebody who is a rural Kansan and always will be,” he said.
“I think I can appeal to the urban audience as well given some of my business experience,” he said.
“I wasn’t out looking for more challenges, but this opportunity came along with Congressman LaTurner’s decision not to run, and my wife and I just really felt compelled that this is something we should pursue,” he said.
Tiffany is a father of five with a “strong Christian background.” He has a bachelor’s in animal science from Kansas State University.
In 2007, Tiffany and his brother started Tiffany Cattle Co., a commercial cattle feed facility with operations in Lyon, Morris and McPherson counties.
Tiffany and his brother, who grew up in the cattle feeding industry, started their businesses in western Morris County.
The company now has four feedlots, two in Lyon County, one in Morris County and one in McPherson County.
The company is permitted for 45,000 head of cattle, with its smallest facility capable of handling 3,500 head and the largest one handling 19,000.
Tiffany said his business doesn’t own the cattle, but rather works with farmers and ranchers who send their cattle to his feedlot.
“Ultimately, what my job is, is to manage relationships and help Kansas agriculture,,” Tiffany said.
He is president of the board for Tri-County Telephone Association, which is mostly focused on providing broadband and fiber to Flint Hills customers.
He’s still on the leadership team with the Kansas Livestock Association as the group’s immediate past president.
Describing himself as “conservative minded,” Tiffany said he approaches political issues with a business background with a goal of producing economic activity.
He said he opposes abortion, supports Israel, advocates secure borders and backs gun rights. He said he voted for former President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020.
“I think he brought a lot of great qualities to bear, one of those especially being a businessman who knows how to negotiate deals and make sure folks on both sides of the table come out profitable,” Tiffany said.
“I think he was really great at finding that middle ground where everybody can be successful and I think that’s what made me successful in business as well,” he said.
“I’m not in line with Trump on every single issue, but I think he was a great leader at the right time in those years from 2016 to 2020,” he said
“I think he did a great job of driving our economy, opening up relationships internationally and, frankly, keeping our enemies at bay.”
Tiffany is the first candidate who has officially said he’s running for the 2nd District seat, although former Attorney General Derek Schmidt is expected to get in the race.
Schmidt is expected to announce a decision about whether to run by the end of the week.
Jeff Kahrs, district director and senior adviser to LaTurner, also has looked at running for Congress.
Kahrs served in fTrump’s administration as the director of Region 7 for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Kansas City, Missouri.
He also served as the deputy secretary and chief of staff for the Kansas Department for Children and Families in former Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration.
Kahrs also spent 16 years as a congressional staff member to former Republican Congressman Todd Tiahrt as legislative director and chief of staff.
Republican state Sen. Dennis Pyle, who has run for the seat previously, said he’s running for the state Senate “until he’s not.”
Republican state Sen. Caryn Tyson also has said she is considering the race, but there is speculation among insiders that she may not run if Schmidt gets in the race.
