Former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach has officially announced his run for the U.S. Senate, and promises to take the fight to the Washington D.C. swamp if he is elected.

This is not a time for a quiet Senator, or one who wants to make everyone happy and is afraid to take a stand. There is too much at stake. Our national sovereignty is at stake, our constitution is at stake, and our economy is at stake. That is why I am running for U.S. Senate.

— Kris W. Kobach (@KrisKobach1787) July 8, 2019

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Kobach intends to succeed Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) in the position, who recently announced his retirement after serving in the position since 1997.

“Kris is a real tough candidate to beat in a primary in Kansas,” said Kansas state Rep. J.R. Claeys, who served as Kobach’s campaign manager when he ran unsuccessfully for governor last year. “I think a lot of people respond to the consistency with which he’s fought for conservative values.”

The GOP establishment is already trying to monger fear against Kobach and keep a real ‘America First’ patriot who would be a great ally of Trump out of the U.S. Senate.

“Just last year Kris Kobach ran and lost to a Democrat,” said Joanna Rodriguez, spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Campaign committee. “Now, he wants to do the same and simultaneously put President Trump’s presidency and Senate Majority at risk. We know Kansans won’t let that happen and we look forward to watching the Republican candidate they do choose win next fall.”

His only other current Republican opponent is Kansas Treasurer Jake LaTurner, but other prominent Republicans are rumored to jump in the race including Kansas Chamber of Commerce President Alan Cobb, Kansas state Rep. Roger Marshall, Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, former Gov. Jeff Colyer, and Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

Claeys believes a crowded field will help Kobach rise to the top.

“When you lower that number that it takes to win with multiple credible candidates, it does make it a lot easier for him to find that upper 20s, lower 30% loyal following that is going to put him over the top,” Claeys said.

Kobach has been a national leader on the issue of border security for many years, working as general counsel for We Build the Wall, Inc. after being shut out of the Trump administration. Kobach was being considered for an immigration czar position, but ‘Never Trumper‘ Ken Cuccinelli ultimately got the role.

Kobach was once Trump’s advisor on immigration issues, devising a plan to immediately end catch-and-release policies to help solve the national emergency on the U.S. southern border. He also worked in the George W. Bush administration under former Attorney General John Ashcroft in the Justice Department where he devised the National Security Entry/Exit Registration System (NSEERS), the first of its kind in U.S. history, following the Sept. 11 attacks.

He was also a pioneer of Arizona’s E-Verify law, which prevents employers from hiring illegal immigrants over U.S. citizens. This has prompted states such as Mississippi and Alabama to adopt the law in recent years after it was ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court.

If Kobach wins in 2020, he will likely become the strongest advocate for border security in the Senate. He will have to overcome Democratic and establishment Republican opposition in order to make it happen.