GOP lawmaker faces primary challenger with the same name

Voters in Kansas will see double when they head to the polls for the state’s Republican primary in August, as there will be two GOP candidates with the same name.

Ron M. Estes, as he will appear on the ballot, announced Thursday that he will challenge incumbent Rep. Ron Estes, according to Roll Call.

“I believe Kansas Republicans deserve a Rep. Ron Estes who will show up and represent Fourth District Kansans,” he said in a statement. “I feel compelled to run in and win this primary to defend our Kansas values.”

Estes, a first-time candidate whose campaign website dubs him the “real” Ron Estes, referred to the congressman as “an embarrassment” and “the epitome of the DC Swamp.”

{mosads}A spokesman for the congressman criticized the challenge, calling the move an “attempt to deceive Kansas voters.”

“Kansans know that Congressman Ron Estes is fighting for them in Washington,” the spokesman told The Wichita Eagle. “Rep. Ron Estes looks forward to discussing with voters how to keep this positive economic momentum going — it’s starting to have a big impact for Kansas families.”

Estes was elected last year in a special election to fill now-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s vacated House seat. He beat out Democratic candidate civil rights attorney James Thompson.

Election forecasters have marked the district as solid Republican.