March 6, 2008

TOPEKA, KS – Jim Ryun has pledged to refrain from requesting earmarks if returned to office in an effort to end wasteful government spending in Washington. Ryun cited the broken system and the dissatisfaction of Kansans with Washington as the reasons behind joining several other Republican and Democrat Members of Congress in this pledge.

"The earmark crisis is out of control and I am committed to fighting for the return of fiscal conservatism and integrity to the system," Ryun said. "People do not trust Washington and it is clear that transparency is not working. I am joining the earmark reform movement in Washington and will work to repair an obviously broken system."

Current Republican leaders who have already pledged a personal earmark moratorium include House Minority Leader John Boehner as well as the Republican Nominee for President, John McCain.

"There is no greater way to lead than by example and I challenge my primary and general opponents to join this effort for reform," Ryun said.

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February 22, 2008
Robin Hixson, Managing Editor
http://www.fstribune.com/story/1313365.html

Eager to go back and serve Kansas District 2 in Congress, former U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun made a stop along the campaign trail in Fort Scott Tuesday.

He had just come from Pittsburg, where he visited with representatives of a highway advocacy group and shared some suggestions for a proposal to expand U.S. Highway 69 all the way to the Oklahoma line. Ryun said he advised them on how to put their proposal together, suggesting that they point out how dollars spent toward highway expansion will translate into economic growth. He also recommended working closely with the Kansas Department of Transportation and with legislators.

As for getting back in the game, the Republican former legislator said, a little more than a year ago, he began to consider whether he should run for Congress again.

"The second question was, 'Is there the support?' And so I began to have 'listening' meetings after the first of the year and the support has been wonderful, fantastic in many places," he said.

"They know what I've done along the way, working on lower taxes... when I first went to Washington almost 12 years ago in '97, one of my first issues was to begin working on some of the commitments I made to help work on lower taxes, like the child tax credit."

He also worked on relief from the marriage tax penalty, debt tax, and small business tax, "...all of which has been important in terms of helping the economy grow," Ryun said.

As he has visited with people across District 2, Ryun said, it has become clear to him that more still needs to be done to create a healthy economy.

"The thing I have picked up on, and the thing I have felt is that my work isn't done -- that it's not completely accomplished yet," he said.

Asked what he thinks of the proposals to eliminate the Internal Revenue Service, Ryun said, "I think there has to be some reform and there's a need to address that issue, but you also have highways you have to build and you have to have some means of being able to support our military, so I look to the practical side of that. I'd like to see a lot of reforms. There are things I have, through the years, worked on, addressing that issue."

He said there are a number of alternatives being proposed to replace the current tax system.

"You've got a sales tax, you've got a flat tax, you've got the "fair" tax (proposal). You know, all of those are good for healthy debate. The more reforms we have, in terms of making it more responsible, I'm all for. That's why, through the years, I have worked on tax issues like that, trying to return more money back to Kansas, in the pockets. Having served on the Budget Committee, my view is that Washington has more than enough of your money. It's a matter of how they spend it. That's why reform is important, that's why lower taxes are important. You know, fiscal responsibility is important, and that's what I've worked on."

Ryun said he supports the U.S. military and, as a Congressman, he worked to keep Kansas military installations open and well equipped. Part of that involved working to help develop the kind of infrastructure that would provide not only needed housing, but the kind of practice ranges that soldiers needed, so that when the Base Realignment and Closure program evaluated the bases, they would have favorable reports.

"And we did have that. The Kansas delegation -- I was a part of that -- Fort Leavenworth, Fort Riley, Forbes Field in the Second District, all of those are favorable. And that's $500 million a year for Kansas, which is significant for the future of this state," Ryun said.

Concerning the Iraq war, he said, "I'm in support of our troops. You know, I have looked to the military leaders. They have been successful with regard to the surge. I want to see our military men and women coming home, but premature departure could destabilize that area. At the same time, the approach that we've taken, so far, is the right one. The surge has made a difference. And so now, we get the Iraqi government on its feet and then we begin the process of gradual withdrawal when our military leaders tell us it's time to do that. I have looked to them for the guidance and leadership, and I still do, because I think they really hold the answer, not a group of elected officials in Washington."

Asked what other issues he sees as priorities, Ryun said immigration is an important issue.

Article Source

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Parsons Sun
Former congressman hopes to unseat Boyda in 2nd District
By Anna Fry
February 21, 2008
http://www.parsonssun.com/Story/jim-ryun-022108

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.

Article Source

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By Fredrick J. Johnson
The Capital-Journal
Published Thursday, November 08, 2007
http://www.cjonline.com/stories/110807/kan_215954832.shtml

Jim Ryun welcomed volunteers back to the political fray Wednesday as he officially opened a campaign office for his bid to regain the state's 2nd Congressional District seat.

Ryun, a Republican who lives in Lawrence, had held the seat for 10 years until being defeated last fall by Democrat Nancy Boyda.

Jim Ryun announces he is running for Congress to try to win the 2nd District seat back from Democratic Rep. Nancy Boyda, who defeated him in 2006. Ryun's wife, Anne, in background, was with him Wednesday at the campaign office, 701 S.W. Jackson.

In March, he said that he had decided to challenge Boyda in the 2008 election.

Dozens of volunteers were busy Wednesday afternoon stuffing envelopes with fundraising letters at Ryun's campaign office at 701 S.W. Jackson.

The candidate thanked them for their help and told them they were the people who were going to make victory happen in the next election.

Ryun said chief among his reasons for seeking election to his former post was a belief that his values more closely represented those of the state's 2nd District.

He noted that Boyda has voted in line with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., about 92 percent of the time.

Pelosi's values are San Francisco, not Kansas, he said.

Ryun said he could be a team player, a good Republican, but wasn't afraid to break from the party line.

He specifically mentioned votes against No Child Left Behind and Medicare Part D that went against the positions favored by President Bush's administration and the GOP leadership.

Article Source

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The Associated Press

WASHINGTON - Former Kansas GOP Rep. Jim Ryun has raised $275,000 this year in his quest to regain the seat he lost to Democrat Nancy Boyda, but he may have to spend a large chunk of it fending off other Republicans in the primary.

"I'm really humbled by the contributions to the campaign," Ryun said Wednesday. "They show that there's great support from the district."

Though official fundraising numbers won't be released to the Federal Election Commission until later this week, Ryun said he is eager to show the "broad support" his campaign has received. He plans to report $255,000 cash on hand for the race.

The cash will help fuel what is shaping up as a contentious primary fight with State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, a Topeka Republican who last week filed to run for the 2nd District seat.

"We're very curious to see what percent of his donations came from Kansas," Jenkins spokesman Jeff Wagaman said. "It's our understanding he's been raising money in Washington quite a bit."

Boyda is expected to report raising $137,000 during the same three-month period and $171,300 in the bank once her final figures are tallied, spokeswoman Shanan Guinn said.

"The congresswoman is really focused on serving the needs of the residents of the 2nd District and she's been really focused on her congressional duties," Guinn said. "She thinks it's way too early to be talking about a campaign in 2008."

Boyda defeated Ryun by a 51-47 percent margin last year in a district that leans strongly Republican. Ryun, who had served for a decade in Congress, says he was swept up in a particularly bad year for Republicans nationwide and claims he still has widespread support.

The primary race is expected to highlight the split between rival wings of the Kansas Republican Party. Jenkins is considered a political moderate while Ryun was one of the House's most conservative lawmakers, particularly on social issues.

"The primary between Lynn Jenkins and Ryun will get national attention and it will be a spirited primary," Wagaman said. "Lynn Jenkins considers Jim Ryun a friend, but he has had his chance to lead and the voters have spoken about his future."

Ryun said he plans to campaign virtually nonstop from now until next year's election. He also plans to overhaul his campaign staff and will announce the hiring of a new campaign manager in the next few weeks.

Ryun declined to comment on Jenkins' bid for the seat.

"We're focused on what we can control, on running an aggressive grass-roots campaign throughout the district," Ryun said.

Jenkins is expected to make her official announcement in May or June, after the 2007 legislative session ends.