Congress

U.S. Chamber spends big to defeat Kansas Rep. Huelskamp

By Curtis Tate

ctate@mcclatchydc.com

July 28, 2016 06:41 PM

Kansas 1st Congressional District candidate Dr. Roger Marshall, right, visits with supporters who attended his debate with candidate congressman Tim Huelskamp in Hutchinson, Kan., on Wednesday, June 27, 2016. Bo Rader The Wichita Eagle
WASHINGTON

Less than a week before the Republican primary in Kansas’ 1st Congressional District, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has thrown its support behind physician Roger Marshall in his bid next week to defeat Rep. Tim Huelskamp.

The chamber’s political arm is spending $200,000 on ads to support Marshall and another $200,000 on ads to oppose Huelskamp. Huelskamp, first elected in the tea party wave of 2010, is a rare Republican whom the chamber is working to defeat.

“I can’t think of an example where we have actively and aggressively opposed a Republican incumbent in Congress,” said Rob Engstrom, the chamber’s national political director.

July 26, 2016
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Tuesday’s “Big First” race is one of the most competitive primaries in the country. The candidates are in a virtual tie when it comes to polls and fundraising.

Before landing the chamber’s endorsement this week, Marshall had gained the backing of agricultural groups dissatisfied with Huelskamp’s record, including the Kansas Livestock Association and the Kansas Farm Bureau.

Marshall campaign spokesman Eric Pahls said it was honored to receive the chamber’s support.

“Hardworking Kansas farmers, ranchers and small business owners have resoundingly chosen Dr. Roger Marshall as the man they trust to fight for them in Washington, not against them,” Pahls said in a statement Thursday.

May 31, 2016
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Meanwhile, Huelskamp campaign spokesman Jim Keady noted an endorsement by the National Federation of Independent Business.

“The 1st District of Kansas is home to thousands of small businesses,” Keady said in a statement, “and that’s why the most important business endorsement is the NFIB.”

In another statement Wednesday, the campaign touted Huelskamp’s endorsement by Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Huelskamp finds himself at odds with the chamber on a variety of issues. He scored 60 out of 100 on the group’s legislative scorecard last year, the lowest of any member of the Kansas delegation and lower than many Democrats. His career score in Congress, 67, is below the minimum the chamber usually requires for an endorsement.

“For him to be at 67 percent is far outside of the mainstream,” Engstrom said.

July 26, 2016