GOP Rep Unseated After Felony Voting Fraud Charges

August 5, 2020 Crime, Republicans

Kansas City’s ABC News affiliate reports:

Freshman Kansas Rep. Steve Watkins lost his Republican primary Tuesday after being charged with felony election fraud and other crimes.

State Treasurer Jake LaTurner unseated Watkins after arguing that the criminal charges against Watkins made an already vulnerable incumbent an even worse bet with Democrats sensing an opportunity to pick up the 2nd District seat in eastern Kansas despite its Republican leanings.

Watkins had largely toed the conservative line and vocally supported President Donald Trump in Congress. The charges against Watkins arose from his listing a postal box at a UPS Inc. store as his residence on a state voter registration form.

ELECTION RESULTS: Jake LaTurner has taken the Republican primary in the race for Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District, according to the Associated Press. Up-to-date results here: https://t.co/Nk3ngUyYeP pic.twitter.com/rRXTo1XdC0

— 41 Action News (@41actionnews) August 5, 2020