TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Some Republicans say they hope President Donald Trumps visit to Topeka today will boost Steve Watkins 2nd Congressional District campaign, which has faced questions over claims he has made about his qualifications and background.
Watkins, a political newcomer, has tied himself to Trump throughout the campaign in a district the president won by 17 percentage points in 2016. Watkins Democratic opponent, Paul Davis, is a former state lawmaker who won the district while running for governor in 2014.
Todays rally is the first time a president has campaigned for a candidate in the 2nd District since George W. Bush attended a rally for then-Rep. Jim Ryun in 2006. Democrats have targeted the district as one of two in Kansas they hope to flip this year.
Watkins, an Army veteran, has removed a testimonial from his campaign website about his heroic leadership when a deadly earthquake hit Mount Everest after the person quoted said it wasnt accurate.
He also has acknowledged inaccurately claiming that he started a Middle East business, although he continues to tout his experience with the company on the campaign trail.
There are also doubts about his claim that he is a sixth-generation Kansan and he has acknowledged meeting with Democrats before entering the race as a Republican.
After Watkins attended a candidate forum with Davis on Wednesday in Independence, Wilson County GOP chairman Kris Marple said he will vote for Watkins despite some qualms.
Im willing to give him a term, Marple said. Were just talking two years. If we come to find out that stuffs true and hes really not what he says he is, well replace him in two years, I guess.
The last time a Democrat won the seat was in 2006. Incumbent Republican Rep. Lynn Jenkins, who won each of the past four elections by double digits, chose not to seek reelection.
