U.S. House, Kansas - 2nd District
East -- Topeka, Manhattan, Leavenworth
Race Forecast: No Clear Favorite
2008: Rep.
2006: Boyda (D) 51 percent, Rep. Jim Ryun (R) 47 percent
Freshman Boyda is in a tough race against Republican state Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, who edged former GOP Rep. Jim Ryun in an August primary. Boyda ousted 10-year incumbent Ryun in 2006, riding a wave of national anti-Republican sentiment, and has successfully positioned herself as a centrist in this conversative Topeka-based district. But economic issues are now dominating the race and Jenkins is touting her credentials as a certified public accountant and is campaigning on opposition to “all tax increases.” Boyda and Jenkins are virtually tied in overall fundraising and have both received support from members of Congress.
Race Information
- Incumbent: Lynn Jenkins, R
- First Elected: 2008 (1st term)
- Last Elected: (%)
- Incumbent Status: Running for re-election
- Race Forecast: No Clear Favorite
District Information
Politics in America District Profile
The 2nd runs the length of east Kansas from Nebraska to Oklahoma, passing west of Kansas City. This district combines
The 2nd has enjoyed steady economic growth and low unemployment over recent years. The district’s rural areas rely on cattle, corn, soybeans and wheat, but farming has suffered from recent droughts that have had a strong impact in the state’s southeast.
Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth are integral to the 2nd’s economy. The return of the Army’s famed Big Red One infantry division to Fort Riley, in Manhattan, is expected to bring revenue and new residents to the 2nd.
Republican support here is anchored in the rural areas, while Democrats find more success in Topeka, western Lawrence (the liberal University of Kansas is in the 3rd’s portion of the city), the blue-collar southeast corner, and Manhattan, home to Kansas State University. The 2nd is conservative, but not overwhelmingly Republican, and the population boom in Riley and Douglas counties is pulling it toward the center. The 2nd gave George W. Bush 59 percent of its 2004 presidential vote, but the U.S. House seat switched to Democratic control in 2006.
Major Industry
Agriculture, defense, higher education, government
Military Bases
Fort Riley (Army), 20,000 military, 2,000 civilian (2007); Fort Leavenworth (Army), 2,900 military, 2,156 civilian (2006)
Cities
Topeka, 122,377; Manhattan, 44,831; Leavenworth, 35,420; Lawrence (pt.), 25,768
notable
The Kansas Museum of History is in Topeka.
- Demographics (2000 census)
- Population: 672,102
- Under 18: 25.3%
- Over 65: 13.5%
- Married: 56.6%
- Non-Hispanic White: 87%
- Black: 5%
- Hispanic: 4%
- Asian: 1%
- Foreign Born: 2.3%
- Language other than English: 5.0%
- Median Household Income: 37,855
- Owner Occupied Housing: 69.0%
- Income above $200k: 0.9
- Workforce/Education (2000 census)
- White Collar: 57.6%
- Blue Collar: 26.8%
- Services: 15.5%
- Bachelor's Degree: 23%
- Graduate Education: 8.7%
- Civilian Veterans: 73,272
| Year | Election | Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | general | Lynn Jenkins (R) | 155,532 | 50.6% |
| Nancy Boyda (D) | 142,013 | 46.2% | ||
| Leslie Martin (REF) | 5,080 | 1.6% | ||
| Robert Garrard (LIBERT) | 4,683 | 1.5% | ||
| 2006 | general | Nancy Boyda (D) | 114,139 | 50.6% |
| Jim Ryun (R) | 106,329 | 47.1% | ||
| Roger Tucker (REF) | 5,094 | 2.3% | ||
| 2004 | general | Jim Ryun (R) | 165,325 | 56.2% |
| Nancy Boyda (D) | 121,532 | 41.3% | ||
| Ira Hawver (LIBERT) | 7,579 | 2.6% | ||
| 2002 | general | Jim Ryun (R) | 127,477 | 60.4% |
| Dan Lykins (D) | 79,160 | 37.5% | ||
| Arthur Clack (LIBERT) | 4,340 | 2.1% | ||
| Year | Democrat | Republican | Independent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | John Kerry: 39% | George W. Bush: 59% | |
| 2000 | Al Gore: 41% | George W. Bush: 54% |
Campaign Finance Details for the 2008 Race
| Filers | Through | Total Receipts | Total Disbursements | Total From PACs | Total From Individuals | Ending Cash | Debts Owed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RYUN, JAMES R (R) | September 30, 2008 | $1,938,751.00 | $2,046,030.00 | $124,091.00 | $1,530,755.00 | $8,177.00 | $15,394.00 |
| BOYDA, NANCY E E (D) | December 26, 2008 | $1,726,192.00 | $1,760,726.00 | $122,320.00 | $1,099,969.00 | ||
| JENKINS, LYNN (R) | November 24, 2008 | $1,770,998.00 | $1,618,459.00 | $72,750.00 | $1,001,804.00 | $152,539.00 | $101,231.00 |
