The Eagle’s endorsement for U.S. House 4th District GOP primary

U.S. House, 4th District

Republican

Rep. Ron G. Estes is the obvious choice to move on to the November general election, seeking his first full term after taking office in April 2017 with a special-election victory following Mike Pompeo’s nomination as CIA Director. Estes, 62, has been neither spectacular nor underwhelming in his 15 months as a congressman.

Estes is campaigning on reining in out-of-control spending in Congress and supports a balanced budget amendment. He has been an advocate for bringing jobs into the 4th District, emphasizing the Wichita area’s roots in aviation manufacturing.

We would like to see Estes show he is his own man in Congress and not a Trump loyalist, whether that be in his voting record or his public views of political issues. We would also like to see Estes be more responsive to his constituents, especially with unscripted town-hall meetings and similar gatherings.

Ron M. Estes, 62, is a Boeing aviation and aerospace engineer who filed for the Republican primary late. He says he would’ve run no matter his name, but he has not been an active campaigner. The challenger wants a congressman who does not follow President Trump’s agenda, and while that belief can be held by Republicans, he and his wife have given at least $2,875 to Democratic campaigns and causes since 2009.

The winner will face the Democratic nominee in the Nov. 6 general election.