Yoder is in

Timing is a major component of political careers, and Kevin Yoder has determined the time is right for him to seek the Republican nomination for the 3rd District congressional seat being vacated by retiring Democrat Dennis Moore.

“As probably the youngest and most energetic candidate in the race, I’m going to be able to attract new voters to the Republican Party; I’m going to be able to bring new energy to the 3rd District,” Yoder, R-Overland Park, said in officially announcing his candidacy.

Yoder, 34, who will begin the second year of his fourth term in the Kansas House of Representatives in January, chairs the powerful House Appropriations Committee.

Yoder joins a list of five other candidates who have officially declared their candidacies for the 3^rd District congressional seat. They are: former State Sen. Nick Jordan, who lost to Moore in the 2008 campaign; former State Rep. Patricia Lightner; John Rysavy; Daniel Gilyeat; and Thomas Scherer.

As of press time, all but Jordan and Yoder had filed their candidacies with the Federal Election Commission. Jordan, though, never terminated his campaign committee from the 2008 election. Only Gilyeat has filed with the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office.

Others who have expressed interest, “serious” and otherwise, are: State Rep. Pat Colloton; Johnson County Republican Party chair candidate Charlotte O’Hara; and Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland.

State Sen. Jeff Colyer, R-Overland Park, at one time said he was seriously considering entering the race, but on Monday announced his support for Jordan saying that Jordan has the experience, background and right values to win the seat next November.

“I’m grateful for the support and encouragement of so many friends regarding this race,” Colyer said. “I love public service and enjoy campaigning, but now is not the right time for me to be a congressional candidate.”

Colyer will serve as Jordan’s Johnson County campaign co-chairman.

Yoder said his experience and leadership will be a key to his campaign.

“I’ve done well with business leaders. We know that research and development along with education is important to our community,” he said. “Education will be a keystone part of my campaign. I was a supporter of the Johnson County Education and Research Triangle and most recently I was a supporter of bringing Cerner into Wyandotte County.

“I’ve been focused and spending a lot of my time on bringing jobs and research and development into the 3rd District, and that will be one of the main areas I’ll focus on once I’m elected to Congress.”

Yoder said he will continue with his House duties while seeking the 3rd District nomination.

“Several of my opponents ran for Congress while they were in the Legislature: Patricia Lightner did, Nick Jordan did, and I think they felt it was perfectly acceptable then,” he said. “I think the precedent is that most of our candidates who are seeking higher office have served in another capacity or are currently serving in another capacity.

“We work very hard and continue to work very hard on (state) budget issues and will continue to make that my top priority. That’s my obligation to my constituents and that’s my obligation to my fellow legislators.

“Certainly managing all of my current responsibilities has been a factor in my decision, but as we get closer to the session and more of our homework has been completed, I feel more and more comfortable that we will be able to carry out our duties in the Legislature while at the same time beginning to set the stage for the primary (election) in August.”

Yoder said working on the state’s budget crisis has prepared him to tackle fiscal issues in Congress.

“We think part of our work in handling that budget crisis will show the voters of the 3rd District that we’re prepared to lead and take our same message of fiscal accountability and responsibility to Washington,” he said.

Some political observers have said more political experience would help Yoder achieve his bid for higher office. He disagrees.

“Are they recommending that I challenge the incumbent congressman in two years? Four years? That I should step aside and wait until that person retires?” he asked. “That could be 20 years. Politics is about being the right person at the right time.

“I feel very strongly that I’m the right candidate at this time and you can’t wait for 15 or 20 years to go by and then make your message heard then.

“I have a very passionate, heartfelt message about my concern for the future of this country and I feel very strongly that this is the time to step up and provide new leadership for the country.”

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