Ryun represented the 2nd Congressional District until he was ousted by former Rep. Nancy Boyda, a Democrat.

Tiahrt, a Goddard Republican, is running against fellow Republican Rep. Jerry Moran, who currently represents the 1st Congressional District which encompasses most of western Kansas.

The two are hoping to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Republican Sen. Sam Brownback, who is stepping down and running for Kansas governor in 2010.

Below is Ryun’s endorsement letter.

Dear Fellow Kansas Republican,

I served with both candidates currently running for the U.S. Senate seat in Kansas. I strongly endorse Todd Tiahrt.

Todd and Vicki were instrumental in getting me to run for Congress in 1996 and became a close friend and ideological ally as we fought for fiscal restraint and policies that protected life and traditional family values.

Kansans and most Americans want a conservative leader they can trust. They also want a leader who will fight the tough fights and get things done.

If you were in a difficult situation and needed help, the choice would be clear – you would want Todd Tiahrt standing with you.

That is why I am asking you to support Todd today.

Our country is in a difficult situation, and we need leaders who are willing to fight for our values, stand up against difficult odds and not cower in the face of tough votes.

Kansans and conservatives across the nation need Todd Tiahrt in the U.S. Senate to fight the liberal agenda being pushed by President Obama and Speaker Pelosi.

It is not enough to vote the right way most of the time. We need someone who will stand up and speak clearly and strongly for our Kansas values. We have no use for another politician who fades into the background out of fear that he will offend someone and not win 80 percent of the vote in his next election against token opposition.

Whenever I needed assistance on a project I was working on for the 2nd District of Kansas, I would turn to Todd. He has the respect of leadership and his colleagues, and as a result, has been one of the most effective members of the Kansas congressional delegation ever.

Todd was the member of the delegation to get Kansas exempted from the onerous “Wright Amendment,” which made airfares from Wichita to Dallas some of the most expensive in the nation. In just his second term in office, Todd accomplished what many others before him could not.

Todd is also respected because he is consistent and loyal. If he gives you his word, you can take it to the bank. That cannot be said about all of my former colleagues.

That respect and effectiveness may be why my former colleague former Speaker Dennis Hastert has joined me in endorsing Todd. We have worked with both candidates, and we know who will consistently fight for conservative values and get things done.

If I had never met Todd Tiahrt in my life, I would be supporting him for the U.S. Senate because of his record and his long list of accomplishments for Kansas.

Having the benefit of knowing him, knowing how he deals with tragedy and triumph, I can honestly tell you there is no better person for this job for Kansans and true conservatives everywhere.

We need Todd Tiahrt in the U.S. Senate.

Every year in January when we were in Washington, D.C. for the March for Life, I could always count on Todd Tiahrt and Sam Brownback to join me in braving the harsh cold winter weather to encourage pro-lifers from around the country and especially those stalwarts from Kansas, who always seemed to manage to be up front.

Todd is not ashamed of what he believes in, which is why we believe in him.

Please join my wife Anne and me in supporting Todd Tiahrt for the U.S. Senate.

Sincerely,

Jim Ryun

P.S. Please help Todd by sending a contribution to his campaign today!

Jack, R-Andover, was elected to represent the 99th House District last year. “It will be very satisfying to be able to work with a family member who I know shares my conservative values,” Pompeo added.

Pompeo also named Goddard native Kelly Reynolds as deputy campaign manager and organizational director.

Reynolds is a former intern to Tiahrt who more recently worked on the presidential campaign of Arizona Sen. John McCain.

State Sen. Dick Kelsey, R-Goddard, is also seeking the congressional seat being vacated by Tiahrt, who is running against U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran for the Senate seat being vacated by Sam Brownback, who is running for governor.

The news release went on to say:

“‘The last two years as Executive Director of the Kansas Republican Party have been one of the most enjoyable times of my life,’ said Morgan. ‘It has been an honor to serve Republican elected officials in Kansas, and has been great getting to know the thousands of Republicans statewide while working towards getting Republicans elected…’

“Morgan’s last day as Kansas GOP Executive Director will be March 31.”