(The following appeared on the Hays Daily News website on January 30. L.D. Jones is a member of BLET Division 336 in Osawatomie, Kan., and is a former BLE International Vice President & U.S. National Legislative Representative.)
HAYS, Kan. — A 56-year-old railroad engineer from Overland Park is the second Democratic candidate running for the U.S. Senate.
Lee Jones is a former official with Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers who lobbied in Topeka and Washington. He ran unsuccessfully for the Senate in 2004.
In the primary, Jones faces Greg Orman, a 39-year-old Olathe resident and managing director of a private equity firm.
They’re both seeking the right to challenge incumbent Republican Pat Roberts, who is seeking his third term.
No Democrat has won a U.S. Senate seat in Kansas since 1932.
Roberts had more than $2.7 million in campaign funds at the end of last year. But according to Orman’s campaign, Orman raised more than $450,000 in funds in December alone.