TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas House Minority Leader Jim Ward has suspended his campaign for governor and is running for re-election to the Legislature.
The Wichita Democrat announced his decision Wednesday after filing to run again for his House seat. Ward followed up with an email to supporters saying it's critical to have strong Democratic voices in the Legislature.
Ward's decision leaves three major candidates in the race for the Democratic nomination in the state's Aug. 7 primary. They are state Sen. Laura Kelly of Topeka, former state Agriculture Secretary Joshua Svaty and former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer.
Ward trailed both Svaty and Kelly in fundraising last year. Also, Kelly picked up the endorsement of former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Svaty received the backing of former Gov. John Carlin.
