GOP rep: I lost primary due to ‘Washington elites’

Rep. Tim Huelskamp (Kan.) says challenging the political establishment cost him his GOP House primary.

“It is my hope that the people of the ‘Big First’ of Kansas, and all Americans, hold their elected representatives accountable and remember that Congress belongs to them — not the special-interests groups that bought this primary,” he said in a Washington Post op-ed published Friday.

{mosads}“It is also my hope that my loss won’t deter other principled conservatives from voting their conscience in office and staying accountable to the people, not the Washington elites destroying our country.”

Huelskamp, a House Freedom Caucus member, also criticized Republican leadership for abandoning its values for wealthy special interests.

“When I was elected to Congress in the conservative Tea Party wave of 2010, I committed both to my family and Kansans that I would not become a creature of Washington, that I would be willing to cast tough votes and that I would stand up to my own party when necessary,” he said.

“For this, I was punished by my party’s own leadership when I refused to support massive spending and borrowing that more reflected President Obama’s priorities than conservatives. In Washington, it turns out that keeping your promises makes you a lot of enemies — especially in Republican circles.”

Huelskamp added blind obedience to political parties is hurting America by placing partisanship above its best interests.

“Too many representatives come to Washington and go along to get along. These individuals are automatic yes votes for party leadership and special interests regardless of how bad the policy may be not just for their district — but also the nation.”

Huelskamp lost to physician Roger Marshall late Tuesday, making him the fourth House incumbent defeated in a primary this cycle.

Reps. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.), Renee Elmers (R-N.C.) and Randy Forbes (R-Va.) also lost their contests this year.