James A. Thompson, the Democrat running to replace Mike Pompeo in the U.S. Congress hasn’t been a Democrat for long. He was a Republican until a year ago. He registered as a Democrat in March 2016.
Thompson, Wichita, isn’t a regular voter. He first registered to vote as a Republican in Sedgwick County in April 2004. He skipped voting in the Republican primary that year, but did vote in the Kansas general election. Though he voted in most general elections, the Wichita attorney didn’t vote in a primary election until last year–his first as a registered Democrat.
Thirty-nine Democratic delegates to the Kansas fourth district selected political newcomer Thompson to compete in the race to replace Pompeo. The recent-Democrat narrowly defeated long-time Democrat and former state treasurer Dennis McKinney for the nomination.
Thompson faces a tightening race against the Kansas State Treasurer Ron Estes. The Kansas Fourth Congressional district is deep red. President Donald Trump carried it by 27 points last November, and only one Democrat has represented the area in the last 50 years.
Voters head to the polls today, April 11. The polls close at 7 p.m.
