Moran comes up with his own biggie endorsement — Johanns

Tit for tat. The game is on, baby.

One day after Republican Todd Tiahrt announced the backing of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, Jerry Moran countered by announcing an endorsement from Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns, a former U.S. ag secretary.

Tiahrt and Moran are on a collision course for the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate in Kansas next year.

“A leader both in Kansas and nationally, I look forward to having Jerry Moran as part of the United States Senate,” Johanns said. “Jerry has established himself as a principled conservative who listens to the people he represents.

“Among the few national leaders in agriculture, Jerry has been a driving force in agriculture policy throughout his time in Congress, but has never lost sight of the people for whom he works. As it is in Nebraska, Kansans need to have someone that represents their interests and not the powers of Washington, D.C.

As Ag Secretary, Johanns said he often talked to Moran, a senior House Agriculture Committee member. Secretary Johanns also worked with Moran on opening additional markets for American farmers and ranchers and how best to serve family farmers across the country.