Olathe, KS - Former State Representative Patricia Lightner, who is taking steps to re-claim the 3rd District Congressional seat for the Republican Party, responded to the news that Johnson County Sun Publisher Steve Rose will be seeking the Republican nomination for Congress.

"My first reaction to the news was to ask whether Steve Rose was going to run as a Republican or a Democrat. Not only has he endorsed Dennis Moore six times, even against moderate Republicans, Steve Rose has written dozens of columns espousing beliefs that are well to the left of the 3rd District," said Lightner.

Lightner added her surprise at Rose's claim in an interview that he is a fiscal conservative.

"I about fell out of my chair when I heard him say he was a fiscal conservative. That flies in the face of the many columns he's written advocating for large tax increases and against any kind of fiscal restraint in Topeka," she said.

Lightner, who has been actively campaigning for a month, said the one thing that Rose and she agree on is that Dennis Moore has left the mainstream of his constituency.

"I'm thrilled to see that even Steve Rose agrees with me that Dennis Moore has moved well to the left and is disappearing from the view of his constituents. When a liberal newspaper columnist who has endorsed you all six cycles abandons ship, things are clearly headed south," she said.

Lightner, who is releasing radio ads beginning September 21, said that the Rose announcement won't change anything regarding her message of liberty.

"I'm running for Congress because I believe the citizens of the 3rd District deserve a representative in Washington who believes in the same principles they do. Those attending tea parties and town halls aren't asking for someone who simply isn't quite as liberal as Dennis Moore - they are asking for a candidate who will vote to uphold America's founding principles of limited government, economic freedom, individual liberty, the rule of law, and traditional values. I am that candidate, and that's why the momentum in my campaign has been so strong," said Lightner.

More information about Patricia Lightner, including an introductory video, can be found on her website at www.patricialightner.com.