Congressman Mike Pompeo says former congressman Todd Tiahrt is practicing political “doublespeak” in their Republican primary race in the 4th District of south-central Kansas.

Pompeo reacted Thursday to Tiahrt’s suggestion that he’s aloof from his constituents and doesn’t listen enough to their concerns.

Tiahrt announced Thursday he’s challenging Pompeo in the Aug. 5 GOP primary for the seat he held from 1995 to 2011. He criticized Pompeo on economic and foreign policy issues.

Pompeo said he looks forward to a robust debate. He noted that Tiahrt endorsed him in 2010 and 2012, and that Tiahrt said Pompeo worked hard to listen to his constituents.

Pompeo won the seat after Tiahrt decided not to seek re-election in 2010 and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate.