Who could replace retiring Senator Pat Roberts? A list

As longtime Congressman Pat Roberts retires, FactFinder 12 looks at who is considering a run to replace him in 2020.

One of the first names tossed around after his retirement was announced is Representative Roger Marshall. His campaign confirms he's seriously considering a fun.

Marshall's campaign manager Brent Robertson tells FactFinder 12, "Since the moment speculation of Senator Roberts' retirement began, Dr. Marshall's phone has been ringing. It's safe to say that Dr. Marshall is seriously considering it, but he is dead set on making sure we get border security funding to the President's desk first. Until then, I don't anticipate an official decision on a Senate run just yet."

Another person "seriously considering" a run is Wink Hartman, who ran as a Lieutenant Governor candidate under Kris Kobach's run for Governor.

Hartman says he is in the process of discussing the idea with his wife, family and the companies he owns. He said there's a, "good possibility" he'll be hitting the campaign trail.

Speaking of Kobach, his campaign manager tells FactFinder 12 Kobach is thinking about running for the Senate seat but he hasn't made a decision yet.

As for other Republicans whose names have come up, current Governor Jeff Colyer's team emailed a statement from Colyer reading, "Senator Pat Roberts has spent more than 30 years serving the people of Kansas, and during that time he has been a shining example of statesmanship. The work that he has done for our state, especially in the agricultural sector, is second to none. Throughout his time in office, Kansans have been able to rely on Pat Roberts’ expertise, energy, and gravitas. It is essential that our next U.S. Senator bring these same qualities to the job.”

That statement essentially not saying either way if he'll run.

Another statement came to our inbox from Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt's Communications Director. It also didn't say one way or another.

It reads, "Our country needs thoughtful, effective conservative voices in the U.S. Senate. AG Schmidt will talk with family, friends and supporters about what Senator Roberts' retirement means for Kansas's voice in Washington going forward."

On the Democrat side, we've only heard from former U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom who announced his intent to run for the seat before Roberts announced his retirement.

Grissom told us previously he planned to run for the Democratic ticket for Robert's current seat in 2020.