Kris Kobach deployed one of his most potent political weapons — his close ties to President Donald Trump — by campaigning with Trump’s oldest son before more than 200 supporters in Wichita.
Donald Trump Jr. spoke at a fundraiser for Kobach’s campaign for governor at NOAH’s Event Venue, with dinner tickets running $100 a piece. The gathering marked Trump Jr.’s second trip to Kansas for Kobach, after an appearance last year [1]in Overland Park.
The Kansas secretary of state is fighting Gov. Jeff Colyer and others for the Republican nomination, which will be decided in a primary election on Aug. 7. The Tuesday night event was a high-profile effort by Kobach to raise cash before a deadline later this month to publicly disclose campaign finances.
Trump Jr.’s father loomed over the event. Kobach said that he was the only statewide Republican elected official to endorse Trump before the Kansas presidential caucus in 2016.
“Which perhaps explains why I am here today,” Trump Jr. replied.
Kobach supporters dined in a ballroom under white canopies and hanging crystals. A VIP reception held before the dinner was closed to reporters.
Outside the fundraiser sat Kobach’s American flag Jeep, with a mounted replica machine gun[2]. Security was tight, with law enforcement in tactical gear conducting a sweep of the premises before the event began.
Kobach stood next to the Jeep as a film crew shot a campaign commercial while supporters arrived.
Don Erbert, an Iola resident who owns the Jeep and has known Kobach for several years, said what Kobach says to him personally is what he says publicly.
“I stand for everything he stands for: the Second
