Immigration hardliner Kobach looks to run again in Kansas after two losses

Former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach is trying to make a comeback in electoral politics – running for state attorney general this year after after two unsuccessful races in his home state.

Kobach, whose political brand is built around hardline immigration policy, recently told the Associated Press, "I decided to run for attorney general the day that President Biden was sworn into office." 

His most recent defeat was in a 2020 Senate bid for the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Pat Roberts, losing in the party primary to eventual general election winner Rep. Roger Marshall. 

The first loss came in 2018 when voters in the conservative-leaning state picked a Democrat over him for governor. Former President Trump endorsed Kobach's gubernatorial bid but not his Senate campaign. 

In his run for attorney general, Kobach faces two other Republicans in the Aug. 2 primary – state Sen. Kellie Warren and former federal prosecutor Tony Mattivi  – who have less name recognition that Kobach but vow like him to, if elected, win lawsuits to overturn Biden policies.

The winner for the open seat will run against Democrat Chris Mann, who is running unopposed but like most Democrats running for office this year will face challenges in November about high gas prices and other inflation that voters are tying to party leader President Biden.

Meanwhile, Kobach's opponents are hammering his recent history of losing big races.

Brittany Jones, policy director for the Kanas Family Voice, said Kobach is a good person who would side with conservative values but she's opted to endorse Warren instead. 

"He has proven time and time again that he can’t win," Jones said.