Steven Charles Watkins (politician)

Steven Charles "Steve" Watkins, Jr. (born September 18, 1976), is a army veteran, military contractor and businessman, and the 2018 Republican nominee for the the 2nd Congressional District of Kansas.
Career
Watkins is the son of endocrinologist Dr. Steven Charles Watkins, Sr. His mother, Barbara, is a retired schoolteacher. Steve's wife is also a physician.
Watkins had spent five years on active duty with the United States Army according to his service records, including six months in Afghanistan. Subsequent to his military discharge he began working as a defense contractor in Afghanistan, beginning in late 2004. In a 2015 Washington Post interview, he said he had suffered a traumatic brain injury and in addition, hd been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder almost a decade prior. He told reporters his 2013 injury was a “tipping point” propelling him in the direction of “a more conventional life.” Watkins has said Kansas “was always home in my heart.” Property records established that Watkins is the owner of a pair of Alaskan condos, purchased in 2005 and 2015. The Topeka residence which Watkins on his voter registration is a rental. Local Republican Party leaders expressed concerns about Watkins' background; Kansas state Senator Steve Fitzgerald, a primary candidate, noted that Watkins had never voted in Kansas until a recent local election. In September, manager Brad Parscale stated that Watkins and a second candidate for the seat, Dennis Pyle, had put out campaign ads with Trump's photo on them, without authorization, to impute endorsements by the president. On the other hand, Watkins was endorsed by U.S. Representative Roger Marshall, from Kansas Congressional District 1. Five weeks before the general election, the Kansas City (Missouri) Star reported that Watkins had claimed to establish a corporation, but had actually only consulted with the firm long after it incorporated. Watkins' campaign described the accusations as "fake news" and "baseless opinions from people who don’t know me."
The general election campaign, against moderate "Blue Dog Democrat" Davis, was described in the U.S. News and World Report as "one of the most negative and competitive congressional races in the country". A Siena College Research Institute/New York Times poll conducted September 21, 2018, showed Pete Davis with a 1% lead and possessing higher favorability ratings, 37% vs. 21%. The candidates debated on October 3, agreeing on a need to protect Social Security, but disagreeing on immigration. Watkins said he was in favor of , saying, "That doesn’t make us mean-spirited or the racist bigots that some leftists would have you believe. It’s just common sense." He called for restricting health care spending, but protecting Social Security.
2018 Primary results

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