Tiahrt Seeks Seat On Republican National Committee

Outgoing Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt is seeking one of the state’s three seats on the Republican National Committee.

But he’s being challenged by Kris Van Meteren, a longtime Republican activist from Ozawkie. Also, Randy Duncan, of Salina, the state party’s 1st Congressional District chairman, also is interested.

Van Meteren’s is affiliated with a company that produced mailings for Congressman Jerry Moran, who defeated Tiahrt in this year’s bitter GOP primary for the U.S. Senate.

Also, Van Meteren criticized Tiahrt over his public endorsement of a candidate for the party’s national chairmanship. Tiahrt accuses Van Meteren of engaging in "gutter politics."

The Republican State Committee plans to pick the new national committee member Jan. 29, the anniversary of the state’s admission to the union in 1861.