The Club for Growth took a swipe at state Treasurer Lynn Jenkins (R), although it maintains this does not mean the organization has decided to back former Rep. Jim Ryun (R) in next year’s 2nd district Republican primary.

Ryun is gunning to challenge Rep. Nancy Boyda (D) and get his old job back. But first, he has to get through Jenkins, whom the Club for Growth in a press release labeled as “addicted to tax hikes.”

“We haven’t made any official decision on this race yet, but one thing is clear: We plan on letting Kansas Republicans know about Lynn Jenkins’ liberal tax-and-spend voting record,” Club for Growth spokeswoman Nachama Soloveichik said.

Jenkins has opened an exploratory committee but does not yet have a full campaign operation up and running. Ryun, meanwhile, has been campaigning since December and raised $171,494 in the first quarter to finish with $256,471 on hand.

Kansas Republicans have been hurt in recent elections by the split between the moderate and conservative wings, and the same scenario could play out in the 2nd district.

— David M. Drucker