State Sen. Steve Fitzgerald seeking to unseat Lynn Jenkins

WICHITA — A conservative northeast Kansas legislator launched a campaign Saturday to unseat U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins in this year’s Republican primary, saying he is offering a choice to GOP voters unhappy with their own congressional leaders.

State Sen. Steve Fitzgerald, of Leavenworth, announced his plans in Wichita, where hundreds of Republicans gathered for the state party’s annual convention. Jenkins represents the 2nd District of eastern Kansas, and while Wichita isn’t in it, the convention gave Fitzgerald a chance to make a splash and meet with party activists and leaders.

Fitzgerald said he is running because he is unhappy with House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio and believes that congressional Republicans need new leaders. Jenkins is the vice chairwoman of the House Republican conference, making her a part of Boehner’s leadership team and fifth-highest GOP leader in the chamber.