Wagle to forgo run for Congress

State Senator Susan Wagle has announced she will not be a candidate for Congress in the open fourth Congressional District seat. After addressing concerns about her health and recent battles with cancer, Wagle indicated that she has been given a clean bill of health just two weeks ago. “The big C has a way of refocusing people. Cancer patients tend to evaluate how best to make the most of every moment they have left, whether it is 10 days or 10 years. Through this experience, I have decided my time and my political expertise are best spent here in Kansas. I am here today to announce I am not a candidate for Congress,” Wagle stated. First elected to the Kansas House in 1990, Wagle ran for the Kansas Senate in 2000 and is now serving her 3rd term in the State Senate. “I value my position as a senior State Senator in a small group of 40. Kansas is facing a budget crisis unlike any crisis we have faced in recent history, and it would not be right as a leader of the conservative movement to walk away from an economic downturn, or for that matter, even divert my attention away from the needs of Kansans, when the headlines in our newspapers are about our Governor considering a tax increase,” Wagle continued. “I firmly believe that both the State of Kansas and our Nation stands at a crossroads. Both governments might be successful at increasing taxes, increasing bureaucracy and the control government exerts over our lives in the next few months. I am personally committed to do everything possible to prevent that from happening,” Wagle continued. “Today we have several candidates who have announced their candidacy for the Republican Primary. Two of those candidates I serve with in the Kansas Senate. Let me be clear, I am not here today to say anything disrespectful, negative or derogatory about any individuals in this race. I have an excellent working relationship with my colleagues and they deserve and have earned my respect, and the respect of many others,” Wagle said. “However, for the daunting task that lies ahead in Washington, we need someone who stands out above the crowd. Someone who will be recognized instantly as a leader. Someone who has the ability to guide and influence others on our behalf, who has inner strength, and strong convictions. We need an individual who cannot be swayed. I have watched closely the developments of this race, and there is one person who has the credentials, the stamina and energy we need to serve in Washington. His name is Mike Pompeo,” Wagle continued. “Mike Pompeo has my full support for his candidacy for Congress and I hope that voters who agree with my values and my voting record will join me in supporting Mike Pompeo for Congress,” Wagle concluded.