‘Congress has taken a toll’: U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner of Kansas won’t seek reelection

TOPEKA — U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner announced Thursday that he will not seek reelection, citing his four young children and the busy schedule of Congress. 

LaTurner currently represents Kansas’ 2nd District in the House of Representatives. A member of the Republican party, LaTurner served as the Kansas state treasurer from 2017 to 2021, and previously as a state senator from 2013 to 2017. LaTurner said he would finish out the term but not run as a candidate in 2024 or in state elections in 2026.  

“Suzanne and I are the proud parents of four young children, and for us the busy schedule of serving in and running for Congress has taken a toll,” LaTurner said in a statement announcing his decision. “The unrepeatable season of life we are in, where our kids are still young and at home, is something I want to be more present for.”

LaTurner mentioned “dysfunction on Capitol Hill,” in his statement. With his announcement, LaTurner joins a wave of Republicans leaving their positions after the party gained a narrow majority in the House. The chamber has seen the first ousting of a speaker in its history, weekslong GOP infighting over his replacement, and near shutdowns of the U.S. government, among other political turmoil. 

LaTurner acknowledged the difficulty but said he is optimistic about the U.S.’s future. 

“Undoubtedly, the current dysfunction on Capitol Hill is distressing, but it almost always has been; we just didn’t see most of it,” LaTurner said. “I remain optimistic about the future of this country, not only because we have overcome more significant obstacles in the past, but that the vast majority of people I have served with are good and trying to do the right thing, and because our founders, divinely inspired, understood human nature and created this republic to endure.”

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, the lone Democrat in the Kansas congressional delegation, complimented LaTurner on his policy work on behalf of Kansans. 

“I commend Rep. LaTurner for his strong dedication to Kansas and appreciate his partnership on critical issues like affordable housing, broadband access and flood prevention,” Davids said. “Together, we also emphasized the cultural significance of the Quindaro Townsite and successfully secured federal investments to help repair the Cesar Chavez bridge, a vital roadway in our community. I wish him the best in his future endeavors.” 

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, said he was saddened by the news of LaTurner’s pending departure from the U.S. House.

“Jake cares so much about the wellbeing of Kansans and has worked to do what is right for them and all Americans,” Moran said. ” I appreciate his desire to be with Suzanne and his young family, and I wish him the very best. Between now and the end of his term, I look forward to working with Jake for a better America.”

Federal Election Commission quarterly filings by members of Congress showed LaTurner had $676,000 cash-in-hand on March 31, which was substantially below his three peers in the Kansas delegation.

This early indicator of fundraising capacity heading into the 2024 campaign showed U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, the 1st District Republican, had $1.23 million in cash deposited in his campaign account. Fourth District U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, also a Republican, held $1.49 million in his reelection fund. Davids, the 3rd District Democrat, led the group with $2.14 million in cash.