WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Republican Rep. Mike Pompeo is repeatedly evading questions about whether he is mulling over a primary challenge to U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran.

Speculation has been fueled by an unusual and at times demeaning written statement Pompeo put out Monday.

The statement was about his Kansas colleague’s shifting positions on whether the Supreme Court nominee should have a hearing.

Pompeo says he never comments on campaign activities they are engaged in.

He told The Associated Press he did not realize the political speculation his written statement had generated until contacted by media outlets.

Moran says in an email that he is not surprised Pompeo has suggested he is not running for the U.S. Senate. Moran says he wouldn’t have expected him to run against him without the courtesy of a conversation.