Kobach comments on Planned Parenthood funding choice, potential Pompeo run

Kansas U.S. Senate candidate Kris Kobach is pleased that Planned Parenthood has chosen to opt out of receiving federal Title X funding.

“The Trump administration has passed some regulations restricting what those receiving federal funds can do with them,” said Kobach. “Encouraging or promoting abortions, as Planned Parenthood does is not one of the allowed uses of these funds and so Planned Parenthood is saying we’ll give up the funds and I think most Americans, Democrat and Republican agree that an organization that’s pushing abortion and profiting from abortion shouldn’t be getting federal funds.”

Kobach also said that his campaign will continue whether U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo returns to Kansas to run for the seat or not.

“If he were already in the race before I jumped in, that certainly affects any person’s calculation,” said Kobach. “Now, once you’ve got hundreds, even thousands of Kansans who have contributed to your campaign, who are volunteering and who put their time and money and faith in your efforts, you don’t just throw in the towel and abandon a campaign just because somebody else jumps in.”

Kobach doesn’t think Pompeo will run, anyway.

“I don’t think it’s likely that Mike will jump in,” said Kobach. “I think he’s enjoying the job of Secretary of State. It makes more sense for him to stay in that position where he’s doing a lot of good for the Trump administration. It’s ultimately his choice, but so far he’s said that it’s off the table that he would leave the State Department and try to run for the Senate seat.”

Pompeo is scheduled to give a Landon Lecture at Kansas State University next month.