Jim Ryun

James Ronald Ryun was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1997 to 2007, representing the 2nd Congressional district of Kansas. He was defeated in the 2006 congressional elections by Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.).

He was a Republican candidate in the 2008 congressional elections for the 2nd Congressional District of Kansas. He was seeking the Republican nomination to challenge incumbent Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.). He lost in primary elections which took place on August 5, 2008.

Background
Ryun was born April 29, 1947 in Wichita, Kansas. He attended Wichita East High School, where in 1964 as a junior, he became the first high school athlete in the world to run a 4 minute mile (1609 meters in 4 minutes). In 1965 as a senior, he set the American high school mile record of 3:55.3, a record that stood for thirty-six years.

In 1966, at age nineteen, Jim Ryun set the world record in both the mile and the half-mile runs, and received Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award, as well as the James E. Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athlete. In 1967 he lowered his world-record time in the mile to 3:51.1, and this record stood for eight years. He also held world records in the 1500 meter run, the indoor half-mile, the sprint medley, and the distance medley relays. Ryun participated in the 1964 Summer Olympics, 1968 Summer Olympics, and 1972 Summer Olympics. He won a silver medal in the 1500 meters in 1968 in Mexico City. In the 1972 Munich, Germany games, he had his calf stepped on by another runner, was tripped, and fell down during a 1500 meters qualifying heat. In 2003, Ryun was inducted into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame.

Ryun was educated at the University of Kansas on a track scholarship. Ryun was a business owner, product consultant, and motivational speaker before being elected to the House of Representatives.

Ryun's literal interpretation of the Bible guides many of his public policy decisions. On numerous occasions Ryun has performed the act of Glossolalia, also known as "speaking in tongues".

Congressional Career
First elected to the House in, Ryun was re-elected to serve a fifth term in the House of Representatives in 2004. He defeated Democrat Nancy Boyda. Ryun totaled 55% of the popular vote to Boyda's 42%.

Iraq War
Ryun voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

2006 elections
In 2006, the Democrats nominated Nancy Boyda to face Ryun in his bid for reelection in the 2006 congressional elections. Boyda defeated Ryun 51%-46% to take possession of the seat.

In January 2007, Jim Ryun stated he would try to reclaim his old congressional seat from Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-KS).

2008 elections
Ryun was seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.) in the 2008 congressional elections. He lost in primary elections which took place on August 5, 2008.

Committees in the 110th Congress (2007-2008)
Ryun will be assigned committees again if and when he is elected to Congress.

Committees in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Personnel
 * Subcommittee on Readiness
 * Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
 * House Committee on Budget
 * House Committee on Financial Services
 * Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
 * Subcommittee on Capital Markets Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises

Coalitions and caucuses

 * Congressional Coalition on Adoption
 * National Guard and Reserve Components Organization
 * Republican Study Group
 * Western Caucus

External resources

 * 2008 Race Tracker page on Kansas's 2nd Congressional District
 * Official Jim Ryun for Congress website
 * National Track & Field Hall of Fame entry
 * Kansas Sports Hall of Fame entry

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Boyda Bloc
 * Red State Rabble
 * In this Moment

External articles

 * Chris Moon, "Ryun's story on Foley changes. Manager: Congressman always knew who lived across the street," The Capital-Journal, October 23, 2006. (regarding Mark Foley page scandal)
 * Sam Youngman, "Former Reps. Bradley, Ryun to run again," The Hill, January 30, 2007.
 * "Ryun To Run Again," Hotline On Call (National Journal), January 29, 2007.