(Updated with more details and possible candidates who might run to fill the seat)
U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner on Thursday abruptly announced that he would not seek reelection in the 2nd Congressional District this fall.
LaTurner said he would serve out his term this fall but “after much prayer and consideration,” he would not run for a third term in Congress. He also ruled out running in state races, effectively taking himself out of running for governor.
“The people of Kansas who elected me to serve in the United States House of Representatives have given me the professional honor of my life, but it is time to pursue other opportunities and have the benefit of spending more time with my family.”
LaTurner said that he and his wife, Suzanne, have a hectic schedule with four young children and “running for Congress has taken a toll.”
“The unrepeatable season of life we are in, where our kids are still young and at home, is something I want to be more present for,” he said.
LaTurner served in the Kansas Senate, representing District 13 in southeast Kansas from 2013 to 2017.
He resigned in Apirl 2017, after he was appointed to serve as state treasurer. LaTurner served as treasurer until January 2021 when he took a seat on Congress
He was 24 when he was elected to the Senate and at 29 he was the youngest state treasure when he was appointed to the position by former Gov. Sam Brownback.
LaTurner was elected to Congress in 2020 when he defeated embattled Republican incumbent Steve Watkins in the primary and then went on to defeat then-Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla.
In 2022, LaTurner was reelected when he defeated Democrat Patrick Schmidt.
“While I will not be a candidate in 2024 or the state elections in 2026, I am hopeful that in another season of life, with new experiences and perspectives, I can contribute in some small way and advocate for the issues I care most about,” LaTurner said.
“With gratitude in my heart for the people of Kansas, my staff, friends, and family, and most importantly, a loving God, who has blessed me beyond measure, I look forward to serving the remainder of my term and look to the future with confidence.”
The news caught some longtime Republican insiders flatfooted.
“This comes as a surprise,” said former Kansas Republican Party Chair Mike Kuckelman.
“I have never heard Congressman LaTurner mention that he wanted to get out of office,” Kuckelman said.
“I understand his point that it takes a toll on a young family for sure, but I had never heard him say that he was going to leave until today.”
An open seat for the 2nd District could be expected to draw a large field of Republicans.
The district became distinctly more Republican-leaning after election boundaries were redrawn in 2022 when the heavily Democratic city of Lawrence was moved into the 1st Congressional District now represented by Tracey Mann.
LaTurner has had little trouble winning against Democrats..
LaTurner defeated De La Isla with 55% of the vote in 2020. He turned aside the little-known Patrick Schmidt with about 58% of the vote in 2022.
Seven Republicans ran in the GOP primary in the 2nd Congressional District in 2018, which was won by Watkins.
Already, names like former Attorney General Derek Schmidt, state Sen. Caryn Tyson, Sen. Dennis Pyle and House Majority Leader Chris Croft were floated as possible candidates.
Others mentioned so far include LaTurner’s district director Jeff Kahrs, Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, outgoing Republican National Committeewoman Kim Borchers and Kansas Bureau of Investigation Director Tony Mattivi.
Democrat Eli Woody had filed to run, but withdrew to run for the Kansas House against Republican state Rep. Mike Thompson of Bonner Springs.
Tyson and Pyle ran in 2018. Tyson finished second behind Watkins with about 24% of the vote, about 2,300 votes behind Watkins.
Pyle came in fifth in that race, finishing about 10,900 votes behind Watkins.
Tyson said she’s looking at running.
“Currently, I am working on one of the largest tax relief packages ever in Kansas and it is in jeopardy because the governor is threatening to veto it,” Tyson said in a text.
“The income, property, and sales tax cuts passed with bipartisan support and is sustainable with almost $4 billion in the state coffers.
“In the words of Senator Dole, ‘The purpose of a tax cut is to leave more money where it belongs; in the hands of the hard working men and working women who earned it in the first place.'”
Croft said he had been fielding calls and messages encouraging him to run for the seat.
“We need to continue the conservative leadership of Congressman LaTurner and put forward the strongest candidate to win in November,” Croft said in a statement.
“Republicans need a candidate who has proven they can win the tough battles and has the fundraising prowess to quickly assemble the funds needed to keep this seat in GOP hands.”
Croft said he and his wife, Connie, were “prayerfully considering whether or not a run for Congress would be the best way to continue that public service and fight for conservative wins for Kansas.”
