Jim Ryun

Rep-Kan. 2nd District

House Incumbent

Born April 29, 1947

Biography

Jim Ryun was born in Wichita and resides in Topeka. He graduated from Wichita East High School in 1965. Ryun received a bachelor's degree in photojournalism from the University of Kansas in 1970.

Ryun remains one of America's best-known former athletes. He was the first high schooler to break the four-minute barrier in the mile run, and held the world record for nine years after running a 3:51.1 in 1967.

Ryun was a star at the University of Kansas and competed in three Olympics, winning a silver medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. He worked part-time as a photographer for the Topeka Capital-Journal through college, and went to work there full time after graduation from college in 1970. But that job lasted only six months and he moved in January 1971 to Eugene, Ore., hoping for a better training situation to continue his track career. That lasted another six months, and then because of adverse training conditions, he moved to Santa Barbara, Calif., where he and his family remained for nine years.

The family moved back to Kansas in 1981. Ryun worked in product development and as a motivational speaker, and ran track camps at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan. He was elected to the U.S. House in 1996, and re-elected in 1998 and 2000.

Ryun and his wife, Anne, have four adult children.

Profile

Jim Ryun's first political campaign was a successful race for the 2nd District U.S. House seat in 1996, which he won with 52 percent to Democrat John Frieden's 45 percent _ despite attempts by Democrats to ridicule him for an article written with his wife, Anne, about how they had their children follow old-fashioned courtship customs. Ryun decided to run after freshman Rep. Sam Brownback decided to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Bob Dole. "The past glories of world records in the mile, three Olympic teams and an Olympic medal, while wonderful, are not the reason I run. I feel the need to run here in my native state to provide leadership," he said. "I am running this race with the good of the country in mind. I am running because I desire to see America return to the foundation and principles provided by our founding fathers."

Ryun campaigned on a strong conservative agenda, saying, "By reducing government and returning it to the people, we can better provide Americans with the ability to achieve the God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." He said he stood for a balanced budget, strengthening the family and returning to strong values.

In Washington, he has built a profile on national security issues with his membership on the House Armed Services Committee.

Amid reports of nuclear spying by China during the Clinton administration, Ryun sponsored a bill to halt visits by scientists from sensitive countries. In his current term, he worked on military health care issues, successfully pushed to lift restrictions in the military's health insurance plans allowing women to choose their own doctor for pregnancy-related treatment.

Working with the rest of the delegation, Ryun pushed for creation of a commission to mark the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling that ended legal school segregation, the 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka case. And he has been seeking a presidential medal for a Topeka man who was instrumental in writing the GI Bill.

Ryun has a conservative voting record on economic issues such as tax cuts and on abortion and other social issues.

He voted with the American Conservative Union 100 percent of the time in 2001, while the liberal Americans for Democratic Action gave him a solid zero rating. Besides Armed Services, Ryun serves on the Budget and Financial Services committees.

Campaigns

Jim Ryun won the 2nd District U.S. House Republican primary in 1996, defeating two opponents, former Topeka Mayor Doug Wright, and civil rights activist-educator Cheryl Brown Henderson. Ryun received 62 percent of the vote, Wright 24 percent and Brown 14 percent. In the general election, Ryun defeated Democrat John Frieden with 52 percent of the vote. Ryun was re-elected in 1998, defeating Democrat Jim Clark with 61 percent of the vote.

Ryun was re-elected in 2000 with 67 percent of the vote against Democratic nominee Stanley Wiles.

Contact

To reach Jim Ryun or staff in Washington, call 202-225-6601, or in Kansas, call 785-232-4500. World Wide Web: http://www.ryun.house.gov/.