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Kansas eyes are upon us
Steve Rose, Publisher
srose@sunpublications.com
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srose@sunpublications.com
We’ve never seen anything quite like this. And even if you are ho-hum about local politics, you should be riveted over the next several months.
That’s when Johnson County voters will be knee-deep into one of the most intense local primary and general elections in recent memory. In fact, the stakes are so high, the entire political world of Kansas will be watching, because as we go, probably so goes the state Senate.
And as the state Senate goes, so go issues like funding for higher education, embryonic stem cell research, and, well, whether the upper chamber stays moderate or turns to the far right.
Never mind for now the state representative races, which we shall get to in another column. Never mind the sheriff’s race. Never mind all the other races, for now.
What jumps out are the state Senate contests. Three seats are wide open and one is a tough face-off against a state senator who was appointed, not elected.
With former State Sen. Nick Jordan giving up his northwest Johnson County seat to run for U.S. Congress, there are two competing candidates who could not be more different. Republican Sue Gamble, who has been a mainstay moderate on the state board of education, is seeking the vacated Senate seat against Republican Mary Pilcher Cook, who served two terms as a state representative and was one of the leading conservative voices from this county. What Gamble stands for, Pilcher is against. What Pilcher stands for, Gamble is against. It will be a clear choice, indeed. And both candidates are certain to run aggressive campaigns.
Meanwhile, another state senator has decided to leave her post. Barbara Allen, who has represented the mid-part of the county, is retiring and leaves behind what once was a “safe” seat for Republican moderates, going back to former State Sen. Dick Bond. This race has the entire focus of Kansas. Former State Rep. Ben Hodge, a 28-year-old far-right candidate who also serves as a trustee on the Johnson County Community College board, has entered this race and is facing off against 62-year-old Tim Owens, who has been a state representative and an Overland Park city councilman. Again, the contrast could not be starker. Hodge is the epitome of the far-right agenda, and a loose cannon at that. Owens is a low-key, dyed-in-the-wool moderate. Hodge will devote all his youthful energies to win. Owens, who says he is a young 62, says he also will work hard. But moderates are very concerned. Make no mistake. There is no more important race than this one, no matter which side you are on.
State Sen. Dennis Wilson, who represents mostly south Overland Park, is also retiring. Jumping into the fray is physician and State Rep. Jeff Colyer. This has been a safe seat for conservatives and is likely to stay that way. But for moderates it makes the other state Senate races even more significant.
The other wild-card race takes place in November, when State Sen. Julia Lynn, who was appointed by precinct Republicans to replace Kay O’Connor, who retired mid-term, is in for the fight of her life against Democrat Ron Wimmer. Wimmer, who has been an icon in Olathe, was Olathe superintendent of schools. He is out to take the seat away from conservative Lynn in a district that includes mostly Olathe and surrounding areas. This November race will be one of the most hotly contested, expensive races in local political history.
So, here is the bottom line. With the exception of State Sen. David Wysong’s seat, which is in the northeast part of the county and is a safe seat for moderates, all other state Senate seats are up for grabs and could turn the tide in the way Johnson County is represented and the way the entire Kansas state Senate majority is comprised.
Don’t say you weren’t put on alert.
That’s when Johnson County voters will be knee-deep into one of the most intense local primary and general elections in recent memory. In fact, the stakes are so high, the entire political world of Kansas will be watching, because as we go, probably so goes the state Senate.
And as the state Senate goes, so go issues like funding for higher education, embryonic stem cell research, and, well, whether the upper chamber stays moderate or turns to the far right.
Never mind for now the state representative races, which we shall get to in another column. Never mind the sheriff’s race. Never mind all the other races, for now.
What jumps out are the state Senate contests. Three seats are wide open and one is a tough face-off against a state senator who was appointed, not elected.
With former State Sen. Nick Jordan giving up his northwest Johnson County seat to run for U.S. Congress, there are two competing candidates who could not be more different. Republican Sue Gamble, who has been a mainstay moderate on the state board of education, is seeking the vacated Senate seat against Republican Mary Pilcher Cook, who served two terms as a state representative and was one of the leading conservative voices from this county. What Gamble stands for, Pilcher is against. What Pilcher stands for, Gamble is against. It will be a clear choice, indeed. And both candidates are certain to run aggressive campaigns.
Meanwhile, another state senator has decided to leave her post. Barbara Allen, who has represented the mid-part of the county, is retiring and leaves behind what once was a “safe” seat for Republican moderates, going back to former State Sen. Dick Bond. This race has the entire focus of Kansas. Former State Rep. Ben Hodge, a 28-year-old far-right candidate who also serves as a trustee on the Johnson County Community College board, has entered this race and is facing off against 62-year-old Tim Owens, who has been a state representative and an Overland Park city councilman. Again, the contrast could not be starker. Hodge is the epitome of the far-right agenda, and a loose cannon at that. Owens is a low-key, dyed-in-the-wool moderate. Hodge will devote all his youthful energies to win. Owens, who says he is a young 62, says he also will work hard. But moderates are very concerned. Make no mistake. There is no more important race than this one, no matter which side you are on.
State Sen. Dennis Wilson, who represents mostly south Overland Park, is also retiring. Jumping into the fray is physician and State Rep. Jeff Colyer. This has been a safe seat for conservatives and is likely to stay that way. But for moderates it makes the other state Senate races even more significant.
The other wild-card race takes place in November, when State Sen. Julia Lynn, who was appointed by precinct Republicans to replace Kay O’Connor, who retired mid-term, is in for the fight of her life against Democrat Ron Wimmer. Wimmer, who has been an icon in Olathe, was Olathe superintendent of schools. He is out to take the seat away from conservative Lynn in a district that includes mostly Olathe and surrounding areas. This November race will be one of the most hotly contested, expensive races in local political history.
So, here is the bottom line. With the exception of State Sen. David Wysong’s seat, which is in the northeast part of the county and is a safe seat for moderates, all other state Senate seats are up for grabs and could turn the tide in the way Johnson County is represented and the way the entire Kansas state Senate majority is comprised.
Don’t say you weren’t put on alert.
Comments on "Kansas eyes are upon us"
Comments are limited to 200 words or less.kan wrote on Jun 14, 2008 9:38 PM:
" Tim Owens will win Barbara Allen's seat unless something goes terribly wrong. Vratil and Wysong have no serious opposition. Colyer wins Dennis Wilson's seat.
The uncertain races are Wimmer-Lynn and the one for Nick Jordan's seat. Based on the rest of the Senate races it's not likely that there will be a huge conservative takeover, especially since this will be a weak year for Republicans.
Have you looked at the House? Can anyone solve the mystery of why Olathe continues to elect rabid ideologues instead of pragmatic problem solvers? It's interesting they continue to support these folks even though they don't seem to care about conservative policies like cutting taxes and promoting personal liberty. It's all abortion all the time. "
The uncertain races are Wimmer-Lynn and the one for Nick Jordan's seat. Based on the rest of the Senate races it's not likely that there will be a huge conservative takeover, especially since this will be a weak year for Republicans.
Have you looked at the House? Can anyone solve the mystery of why Olathe continues to elect rabid ideologues instead of pragmatic problem solvers? It's interesting they continue to support these folks even though they don't seem to care about conservative policies like cutting taxes and promoting personal liberty. It's all abortion all the time. "
Ray Parker wrote on Jun 13, 2008 1:58 PM:
" We don't want useless, unethical embryonic stem cell research in Kansas.
The nation's Roman Catholic bishops issued a document Friday warning against the moral dangers of embryonic stem cell research, saying it treats human beings as commodities and reduces procreation to a manufacturing process. In response to grossly over-hyped claims of possible cures eventually, someday, in the far distant future, coming from ESCR, the bishops said that "no commitment to a hoped-for 'greater good' can erase or diminish the wrong of directly taking innocent human lives here and now."
"An initial decision to destroy so-called 'spare' embryos for this research leads to far broader abuses, including human cloning and new risks to women," said Archbishop Joseph Naumann from Kansas City, KS, and part of the bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
There are no spare human beings.
There are no moral objections to the hugely successful medical research using ethically obtained adult stem cells and umbilical cord blood, however, regularly producing new cures and treatments every year using ethical procedures. That's where we need our tax money. "
The nation's Roman Catholic bishops issued a document Friday warning against the moral dangers of embryonic stem cell research, saying it treats human beings as commodities and reduces procreation to a manufacturing process. In response to grossly over-hyped claims of possible cures eventually, someday, in the far distant future, coming from ESCR, the bishops said that "no commitment to a hoped-for 'greater good' can erase or diminish the wrong of directly taking innocent human lives here and now."
"An initial decision to destroy so-called 'spare' embryos for this research leads to far broader abuses, including human cloning and new risks to women," said Archbishop Joseph Naumann from Kansas City, KS, and part of the bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
There are no spare human beings.
There are no moral objections to the hugely successful medical research using ethically obtained adult stem cells and umbilical cord blood, however, regularly producing new cures and treatments every year using ethical procedures. That's where we need our tax money. "
RMN wrote on Jun 11, 2008 5:20 PM:
" Of course, you failed to mention that there are Democratic candidates for many of the other seats; and former Rep. Judy Macy is a strong and viable candidate for the former Allen seat. "
John Altevogt wrote on Jun 11, 2008 3:08 PM:
" Hey, most of your judges are Democrats and don't represent your values, why not let the liberals take over your whole county?
Rick Guinn is pretty much guaranteeing PP and Paul Morrison will be above the law along with who knows who else. So make sure you dump the one guy in the state who enforces all the laws.
Then there's the forever tax that Johnson County's liberal elite want to impose on you. That should be great for my property values up here in WYCO. You guys need higher tax rates. So go along with old Steve here and keep electing all those libs. After all, who needs honest government? "
Rick Guinn is pretty much guaranteeing PP and Paul Morrison will be above the law along with who knows who else. So make sure you dump the one guy in the state who enforces all the laws.
Then there's the forever tax that Johnson County's liberal elite want to impose on you. That should be great for my property values up here in WYCO. You guys need higher tax rates. So go along with old Steve here and keep electing all those libs. After all, who needs honest government? "