State Sen. Susan Wagle (R) officially bowed out of a Congressional bid this week.

Wagle had been publicly mulling running to succeed Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R), but she announced Tuesday that she would forgo a campaign and endorse Republican National Committeeman Mike Pompeo in the race. Tiahrt is running for Senate, and several Republicans including Pompeo have lined up to run for his seat.

In her remarks, Wagle said she had decided that her “time and political expertise— were “best spent here in Kansas.—

“Kansas is facing a budget crisis unlike any crisis we have faced in recent history, and it would not be right as a leader of the conservative movement to walk away from an economic downturn, or for that matter, even divert my attention away from the needs of Kansans, when the headlines in our newspapers are about our governor considering a tax increase,— Wagle said.

In addition to Pompeo, state Sen. Dick Kelsey, state Sen. Jean Schodorf and businessman Wink Hartman have filed to run for the GOP nomination. State Rep. Raj Goyle is the likely Democratic nominee, although he has an uphill battle in the conservative Wichita-based district.

Wagle emphasized in her announcement that she had respect for both of her state Legislature colleagues in the race, but said Washington needs “someone who stands out above the crowd.—

“I have watched closely the developments of this race, and there is one person who has the credentials, the stamina and energy we need to serve in Washington. His name is Mike Pompeo,— Wagle said.