Former congressman hopes to unseat Boyda in 2nd District

By Anna Fry, Parsons Sun

Former U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun, a Republican, spent Wednesday afternoon in Parsons as part of a listening tour.

Ryun decided last spring to try to win back the state’s Second Congressional District seat from U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, a Democrat. Boyda defeated Ryun in 2006 after Ryun had served five terms as a congressman.

Ryun visited the Sun office, had lunch and talked with citizens Wednesday. Ryun said this election will be different from the last. The 2006 election cycle was tough for Republicans. They had a smaller turn out and other races affected Ryun’s, he said.

“I didn’t have the best race. That’s behind me now,” he said. “We have an opportunity to put together what I feel is the right thing — good grass roots, great support.”

Ryun said about 1,600 Kansas donors have contributed to his campaign. That’s twice as many as Boyda and Republican contender Lynn Jenkins have, he said.

In response to a question about prior criticism that Ryun became disconnected with constituents, Ryun said some of the criticism was unfounded. He came back on weekends and worked the work periods during congressional recesses.

“That is something that I have felt all along is important and that is staying in touch, listening to the issues,” he said. He wants to hear people’s concerns and see what he can do to serve, Ryun said.

In his talks with potential constituents, Ryun said four issues invariably come up: economics, immigration, ending wasteful spending and supporting the military. Ryun said there is a “stark difference” between what he and Boyda stand for. He pointed to taxes as an example. He will always fight for lower taxes and fewer government regulations, he said. That would include making the president’s tax cuts permanent.

“Washington has more than enough of (taxpayers’) money,” Ryun said. “It’s a matter of how they spend it.”

Ryun does not support amnesty for illegal immigrants. He likes the idea of a national program that would first secure the borders and solve other issues along the way, he said.

When it comes to the Iraq war, Ryun said he relies on those actually fighting to determine how America could pull out without destabilizing the area.

“Now that we’ve seen the effects and the benefits of the surge, I want to see our troops coming home as soon as possible,” Ryun said. “But, you know, I look to the generals on the ground, not the suits in Washington, to make that decision.”

In Congress, Ryun voted against No Child Left Behind. He spoke to school administrators, teachers and parents in the district. Ryun said he listened to their input when deciding to vote against it. Ryun wants the states to have more authority. Teachers told him they’re teaching to test, not just teaching.

Ryun and State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins will compete in the Republican primary in August. The winner of the primary will face Boyda in November’s general election.

A spokesman for Boyda’s campaign office said while Boyda hasn’t officially announced her bid for reelection, her campaign is moving forward. Boyda is focusing on serving her constituents, he said. She will hold a formal kick-off event later this year.

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