By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts was very happy to be invited to ride on the Marines float in Saturday morning’s Wild West Fest parade in downtown Hays.

“It’s a real privilege to be here,” Roberts said prior to the start of the parade. He visited with several active and retired military members on the float.

This year’s WWF theme, “Home of the Free Because of the Brave,” had significant meaning to Roberts.

“My dad was in Okinawa in Iwo Jima during World War II. I was able to visit there, and I’m a Marine as well.”

The 78-year-old three-term Republican has been combating criticism from his primary opponent, Dr. Milton Wolfe, Overland Park, who contends Roberts shouldn’t represent a state where he no longer lives permanently. Roberts owns a property in Dodge City that he currently rents out.

However, the State Board of Objections unanimously dismissed a challenge in May about Roberts’ residency, clearing the way for the senator to stay on the ballot in the August primary.

Roberts said his re-election campaign is “going fine”:

Roberts’ wife, Franki, joined him on the parade float.