Kansas Sen. Roberts' Expected Exit Could Spell Democratic Pickup

With a few hours to go before Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts reveals his political plans for 2020, several Republican sources told Newsmax that the four-term lawmaker will announce his retirement.

The anticipated exit of Roberts, 82, is almost sure to result in a crowded Republican primary next year.  Even before Roberts makes any official statement, talk is mounting over a rematch of last year’s GOP gubernatorial primary between stalwart conservative Kris Kobach and the more moderate incumbent Jeff Colyer.

Kobach, best known as a vigorous opponent of illegal immigration eked out a win over Colyer, but went on to lose in November to Democrat Laura Kelly. 

Should the two clash in another primary — this time for Roberts’ Senate seat — it would almost certainly work to the advantage of Democrats in the Sunflower State.

Also mentioned as possible Senate candidates are two-term Rep. Roger Marshall and former Rep. Todd Tiarht, both considered conservative.

Democrats, beaming over the triumph of last fall and the switch of several Republican state legislators to their party, are now considered having an excellent chance of electing a senator of their own since George McGill in 1930. 

Among the names floated are those of former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who also served as Barack Obama’s secretary of health and human services, and newly-sworn Rep. Sharice Davids, a leader in the native American community.

Onetime U.S. Marine Roberts served sixteen years in the House before going to the Senate in 1996.  He also holds the distinction of being a past chairman of the Agriculture Committee in both the House and Senate. 

John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.