Derek Schmidt takes the stage on election night in November 2022 at the GOP watch party in Topeka. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)
Former Attorney General Derek Schmidt has recently declared his intention to run for the congressional seat that will be left vacant by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner.
Republican David Schmidt, hailing from Independence, had an illustrious career as the state’s attorney general for 12 years. In 2022, Schmidt decided to take a shot at becoming the governor. Unfortunately, he narrowly missed out on victory, losing the race by a mere two percentage points to the Democratic incumbent, Governor Laura Kelly.
LaTurner announced earlier this month that he will not run for re-election for the 2nd District seat, which he has held for two terms.
Schmidt asserts that President Joe Biden has embarked on a perilous agenda and emphasizes the need for conservatives to take a stand and resist. According to Schmidt, the nation was in a superior state under the leadership of Donald Trump, who extended his endorsement to Schmidt in 2022.
“My unwavering focus will be on what is most beneficial for the people of the 2nd District and the entire nation,” Schmidt expressed. “The preceding four years have undeniably highlighted the strength of America during President Trump’s tenure in the White House. I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to collaborate with him and other individuals in the coming year, with the shared goal of revitalizing our great nation.”
Schmidt, during his tenure in the Kansas Senate from 2001 to 2011, was widely regarded as a moderate Republican. In 2010, he secured the first of his three terms as attorney general and further bolstered his reputation by successfully presenting arguments in eight cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Notably, he also took on the challenge of contesting the legality of the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare, in a court of law.
Before the 2020 election, Schmidt’s aides actively took part in a “war games” summit organized by the Rule of Law Defense Fund, a group linked to the Republican Attorneys General Association. The primary objective of this summit was to strategize and determine the appropriate response in the event that President Donald Trump lost the re-election. However, following Biden’s victory, the same group played a significant role in fanning the flames of the January 6, 2021, insurrection by using robocalls to encourage people to march on the Capitol. In the meantime, Schmidt himself voiced his support for a lawsuit filed in Texas with the intention of contesting the election results.
During his run for governor, Schmidt adopted far-right talking points on various issues, including vaccines, transgender children, and critical race theory. However, he also encountered doubt from fellow conservatives who were skeptical of his changing political stances.
Schmidt expressed his strong desire to serve and emphasized the need for effective conservative voices in public service, stating that he feels a calling to fulfill this role.
“I have always been a proud Kansan, deeply committed to upholding the freedoms and values that our country holds dear. I have immense respect for the sacrifices made by generations of Americans to protect our way of life. I stand firmly for law and order, supporting our brave veterans and those who are currently serving in our armed forces. I am dedicated to advocating for the needs of farmers, ranchers, and small businesses, as well as championing the excellence of our esteemed Kansas colleges and universities. I strongly believe in the sanctity of life and the importance of preserving our Second Amendment rights. If given the opportunity, it would be a privilege for me to represent you and be your voice in Congress.”
LaTurner stated that he was resigning from his position, citing his four young children and the dysfunction on Capitol Hill as reasons for his decision.
The 2nd District currently has only one candidate who has filed, Democrat Eli Woody. However, Woody has decided to suspend his campaign in order to run for a legislative seat instead. On the Republican side, former LaTurner aide Jeff Kahrs and former Kansas Livestock Association president Shawn Tiffany are both planning to run for the GOP nomination.
Rob Fillion, campaign manager for Kahrs, responded to Schmidt’s announcement with criticism directed at the former attorney general and state senator.
According to Fillion, Derek Schmidt has consistently disappointed conservatives throughout his career in the state Legislature and as attorney general of Kansas. Fillion believes that our country cannot handle another politician who simply follows the lead of the D.C. establishment.
The 2nd District underwent significant changes during the 2022 GOP-led redistricting process. It now stretches from the northeastern border with Nebraska all the way to Topeka and down to the southeastern border with Oklahoma. This newly configured district encompasses various cities and towns, including the northern section of Kansas City, as well as Leavenworth, Junction City, Emporia, Marion, Burlington, Fort Scott, Pittsburg, and Independence.
Derek Schmidt Declares Candidacy for Congress, Expresses Support for Donald Trump and MAGA
