Kansas voters might do a double take when heading to the polls in August with not one, but two, Ron Estes’ on the GOP primary ballot.
Ron Estes said Thursday that he plans to run against incumbent Rep. Ron Estes to “defend Kansas values” and challenge the “status quo elected leaders,” according to the Wichita Eagle.
“I believe Kansas Republicans deserve a Rep. Ron Estes who will show up and represent Fourth District Kansans. I feel compelled to run in and win this primary to defend our Kansas values,” the non-elected Estes said in a statement. He will appear on the ballot as “Ron M. Estes.”
The GOP hopeful also went a step further in playing off the coincidence by naming his campaign website “The Real Ron Estes.”
A spokesperson for the incumbent lawmaker dismissed the challenge as an “an attempt to deceive Kansas voters.”
“Kansans know that Congressman Ron Estes is fighting for them in Washington,” spokesman Josh Bell said. “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.”
Both candidates have also filed the proper paperwork with the Kansas secretary of state, securing their names on the ballot in August.
