State Sen. Susan Wagle, who early on expressed interest in running for the Fourth District congressional seat, announced today she would instead endorse candidate Mike Pompeo.
“I value my position as a senior state senator in a small group of 40,” she said in a statement. “Kansas is facing a budget crisis unlike any crisis we have faced in recent history, and it would not be right as a leader of the conservative movement to walk away from an economic downturn, or for that matter, even divert my attention away from the needs of Kansans, when the headlines in our newspapers are about our governor considering a tax increase.”
Wagle said her endorsement of Pompeo, a Republican national committeeman, was not intended to be disrespectful of or derogatory toward two fellow senators who are seeking the seat, Dick Kelsey and Jean Schodorf.
Wagle said she respected both senators.
“However, for the daunting task that lies ahead in Washington, we need someone who stands out above the crowd. Someone who will be recognized instantly as a leader. Someone who has the ability to guide and influence others on our behalf, who has inner strength, and strong convictions,” she said in endorsing Pompeo.
Pompeo is president of Sentry International, an oilfield supply company, and former CEO of Thayer Aerospace.
Five candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for the seat now held by Rep. Todd Tiahrt, who is running for U.S. Senate: Pompeo, Kelsey, Schodorf and businessmen Jim Anderson and Wink Hartman.
State Rep. Raj Goyle and etired court services officer Robert Tillman are contending for the Democratic nomination.
Wagle, who has battled cancer in the past, also said she was given a clean bill of health two weeks ago.
“The big C has a way of refocusing people,” she said in the statement. “Cancer patients tend to evaluate how best to make the most of every moment they have left, whether it is 10 days or 10 years. Through this experience, I have decided my time and my political expertise are best spent here in Kansas.”
UPDATE:
Pompeo reacts in a statement: “I really am humbled today to have garnered the support of someone with the conservative credentials of Susan Wagle. Senator Wagle has long stood for fiscal responsibility in the Kansas legislature, and I know the people of Kansas are going to be served well by her remaining in that important role.”
Hartman reacts in a statement: Today, one career politician endorsed another political insider. Republicans are now powerless in Washington because career politicians and political insiders said one thing and then did another. If we want our government to change, then we have to stop sending those same career politicians to Washington.
9 Comments
Wagle styles herself the “leader of the conservative movement?” Move over, Rush Limbaugh, because you have a challenger!
Another great reason to vote for anyone but Pompeo.
At least Wink has it right, tweedle dumb and tweedle even dumber will always pander for votes and cozy up to the lobbiests.
Yet more comments from CAVErs who don’t know anything about anything. Don’t think for yourselves people, let the media choose your candidates, it’s the Change You Asked For. Yes We Can (turn the USA into the USSR)!
Good thing she didn’t enter the race, she would have been worse for Kansas that Pompeo would.
Wagle……..what a frickin joke…….worrying about the budget crisis, I can only think back to that flawed and idiotic run she made at that KU professor a few years ago trying to tar and feather him over teaching sex education which is legal by law. Wagle refused to ever acknowledge, along with her henchman O ‘Reilly, that everything done at KU was within the confines of the law and that case was dismissed.
How much money did Wagle waste back then for her own political agenda………..she could have cared less about the taxpayers budget back then……..shame on her for pandering.
She still is not of the moral character to admit that the professor was acting within state law as to what he taught.
Nothing but a coward that is paid for by our tax dollars.
She didn’t learn a darn thing.
Well, I was hoping she would run for the 4th district, because I would have filed to run for her seat.
Wagle’s excuse for not running is the exact same excuse that Sebelius used to justify why she was not interested in the VP slot for Obama, until he came calling with another slot for her.
Wagle and Sebelius……….taking a political page from the pros about why they are not interested in these positions that are all decided on by the heads of the respective state and federal parties.
It is more political chicanery……….Wagle shoudl now realize that her shining star is now in the ‘cash cow’ status (from a marketing and viability) from the party’s standpoint.
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