Embattled Kansas congressman Steve Watkins is ousted by primary challenger Jake LaTurner

Source: Business Insider

Embattled first-term Rep. Steve Watkins was defeated in a high-stakes primary challenge from state Treasurer Jake LaTurner in Kansas' 2nd congressional district on Tuesday.

Watkins is the sixth member of the House of Representatives to lose renomination from his own party in the 2020 cycle, following Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Rep. Steve King (R-IA), Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA), Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), and Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO).

Kansas' 2nd district encompasses most of the Eastern part of the state, including the capital city of Topeka, the surrounding suburbs, but is otherwise largely rural and agricultural.

Watkins, a former US Army Ranger and federal defense contractor, seemingly came out of nowhere to win the crowded 2018 Republican primary with just 22% of the vote. Despite having scant ties to the district and no political experience, Watkins' candidacy was boosted by hundreds of thousands of dollars put into the race by his wealthy father.


Read more: https://www.businessinsider.com/steve-watkins-vs-jake-laturner-kansas-primary-live-results-2020-7