Election guide: Kansas House districts 8-25

Age: 45

Education: Bachelor’s in criminal justice, University of Nebraska; master’s in management, Baker University

Occupation: Community volunteer

Elected experience: None

Website: dietzforkansas.com

As parents, we know that to create a strong future we must invest in our children. Shouldn’t we also invest in the future of our state? Kansas cannot cut its way to growth. The best foundation for success in Johnson County is a strong educational system and a leader to represent that. We must invest in our future.

Age: 30

Education: Bachelor’s, Claremont McKenna College; law degree, George Mason University School of Law

Occupation: Attorney

Elected experience: Kansas House, January 2013-present

Website: mcphersonforkansas.com

I have been a strong voice for limited government and fiscal responsibility, resisting unnecessary, burdensome regulations and pushing to keep taxes low. If I am re-elected, I will continue to fight for the freedom for Kansas businesses, individuals and families to continue to grow and thrive.

KANSAS HOUSE 14TH DISTRICT

Incumbent Republican Keith Esau faces Democrat Merlin Ring in the Kansas House 14th District race.

Age: 54

Education: Bachelor’s in music, Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan.

Occupation: Software engineer, PDF Solutions, San Jose, Calif.

Elected experience: Kansas House, 14th District, 2013-present

Website: www.keithesau.com

Our freedoms are increasingly being eroded with government red tape that goes beyond what is necessary for a just society. I will strive to do away with unnecessary laws, regulations, bureaucracies and other government intrusions where they go beyond the necessary functions of the state.

Age: 68

Education: Master’s in physics, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, 1971. Master’s in engineering management University of Kansas Edwards Campus, 2001.

Occupation: Retired in 2012 after 42 years as an engineer/scientist in the medical- and aerospace-equipment industry. Currently working as part-time consultant to my former employer. Currently working to establish a pecan orchard on the family farm.

Elected experience: Delegate, Democratic National Convention 2012; precinct committeeman, Olathe 2-12, since 2012

Website: www.facebook.com/ringforhouse14

I believe in a pragmatic, problem-solving approach, making sound, data-based decisions that reflect good science. I will reflect the moderate values of the voters of the 14th District. … A vote for me will be for an independent voice working for the interests of the citizens of the 14th District in our state legislature.

Libertarian BRENT STACKHOUSE

Age: 34

Education: Bachelor’s in international relations, The College of William & Mary; MBA, Management, Troy University.

Occupation: Consultancy firm manager, The Stackhouse Agency, LLC, Olathe

Website: VoteBrent.info

District 14 voters should choose Brent Stackhouse because his campaign’s values align with those of Johnson County. We seek to generate revenue and not impose burdensome taxes, as we support education and maintain our needed and valued services. Our campaign desires to bring needed changes to the Legislature as we maintain our quality of life in District 14. Our campaign stands for economic and personal liberties, where our government is not legislating every aspect of your life.

Kansas House 15th District

Incumbent GOP Rep. Erin Davis is challenged by Democrat Steve Wright in the Kansas House 15th District.

Age: 42

Education: Bachelor’s degree, MidAmerica Nazarene University; law degree, University of Kansas School of Law.

Occupation: Attorney

Elected experience: Kansas House, January 2014-present

Website: reperindavis.com

Since beginning my service in the Legislature in January, I’ve worked to strengthen our schools, promote job creation and keep our Kansas economy growing. Voters can count on me to continue to work with others to get things done for them on the issues important to Olathe families. As a mother of two children who attend our public schools, I am personally invested in making sure Olathe schools continue to be among the best in the state.

Age: 50

Education: Bachelor’s, Washburn University

Occupation: Supervisor in claims customer service for Farmers Insurance Group

Elected experience: Precinct committeeman since 2003.

Website: www.wrightforkansas15.vpweb.com

I will work to preserve and strengthen our education system. I will introduce legislation that will give tax relief to the middle class. I will be an active legislator for Olatheans.

Kansas House District 16

Incumbent Republican Amanda Grosserrode is being challenged by Democrat Don McGuire for the Kansas House 16th District seat.

Age: 38

Education: Bachelor’s in elementary education, Wayne State College, Wayne, Neb.

Occupation: Former elementary teacher, Shawnee Mission School District.

Elected experience: Kansas House, 2011-present

Website: www.amandagrosserode.com

Over the four years I have spent in Topeka serving the people of the 16th District, I have focused my efforts on preserving local control of schools, fighting for increased fiscal responsibility, lessening the tax burden on Kansas families and protecting the liberty of our citizens. In each case, we have experienced significant success, and that must continue.

Age: 63

Education: Bachelor’s, University of Missouri-Kansas City

Occupation: Pharmaceutical sales

Elected experience: Precinct committeeman, Overland Park Precinct 3-13, 2008-present

Website: mcguireforkansas.com

My first priority will be to work to restore school funding for K-12 so that we may lower our class sizes and fund the valuable programs that we have lost due to state’s largest single cut to public education in the history of our state. … I oppose the current tax policy, which has put us on the road to deficit spending.

Kansas House 17th District

Incumbent Republican Brett Hildabrand faces Democrat Larry Meeker and Libertarian Michael Kerner for the Kansas House 17th District seat.

Age: 33

Education: Bachelor’s in animal science, Kansas State University

Occupation: Contracted consultant for Cerner

Elected experience: Kansas House, 2011-present

Website: Brett4Kansas.com

During my four years in office, the state of Kansas has experienced economic development and job growth. I will continue the effort to make Kansas the best place to start a business and raise a family if I am re-elected.

Age: 67

Education: Bachelor’s in electrical engineering, NYU-Polytechnic School of Engineering, 1967

Occupation: Engineer

Elected experience: None

If you want the government out of both the economic and personal aspects of your life, then I am the candidate for you. … We would be much better off with a drastic reduction in taxes and give up the “services” supplied by government. The most expensive service is education, and we should all see by now what a poor job the government does with that. In fact, public education provides an opportunity to brainwash our children to think that the status quo is just fine when it is anything but.

Age: 68

Education: Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, University of Kansas, 1968; MBA, University of Kansas, 1972; doctorate in business administration, University of Kansas, 1974; Graduate, Stonier Graduate School of Banking, 1982

Occupation: Retired vice president, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City; currently leads the annual New Mexico Economic Development Course, one of 19 introductory economic development courses sanctioned by the International Economic Development Council; consultant

Elected experience: Mayor, Lake Quivira, 2007-2011

Website: MeekerforKansas.com

I have the experience-backed expertise to balance the state’s budget, restore its credit rating and give education and infrastructure the priorities they require to make our economy competitive. I oppose the state leaving local communities no option but to raise property and sales taxes — to offset income tax cuts at the state level — to retain needed services. We need a shared tax responsibility balanced with sales, property and income taxes.

Kansas House District 19

Incumbent Republican Stephanie Clayton faces Democrat Patricia Stratton in the 19th District.

Age: 70

Education: Bachelor’s in history and master’s in education, both from University of Illinois.

Occupation: Retired middle school social studies and communication arts teacher

Elected experience: None

Website: None

I am running as a Kansas Democrat because I feel that the Kansas Legislature needs a strong voice in the House to counter the efforts of Gov. Brownback and the right wing of the Republican Party. Because of my long experience as a public school teacher, I am very frustrated by the changes that have occurred in Kansas education. Mr. Brownback has implemented the largest cuts to public school funding in the history of our state.

Age: 36

Education: Bachelor’s in history, Emporia State University

Occupation: Social media consultant

Elected experience: Kansas House 2013-present

Website: www.Clayton4Kansas.com

I listen to the voices of my constituents and vote to reflect the values of the people that I represent, even when it is in opposition to the special interest groups in Topeka. I am a strong advocate for an open, transparent approach to government, and I work to communicate the decisions I make and the reasoning behind those decisions to my constituency. I believe that this is a customer service position, and I work hard to fulfill that role.

Kansas House District 20

Incumbent Republican Rob Bruchman faces Democrat Elizabeth Arnold for the House 20th District seat.

Age: 36

Education: Bachelor’s in American studies, Wellesley College; master’s in museum studies, University of Kansas

Occupation: SAT and ACT test preparation teacher and tutor

Elected experience: None

Website: www.elizabethforkansas.org

I am very concerned about the current budget crisis in Kansas and how it will affect our quality of life in Leawood and Overland Park. If elected, I will join the over 100 moderate Republicans supporting the Paul Davis economic plan to move Kansas back toward fiscal responsibility. My top priorities are ensuring high-quality public education, stabilizing and growing Kansas’ economy through economic responsibility, investing in infrastructure to preserve our quality of life.

Age: 36

Education: Bachelor’s in English and law degree, both from University of Kansas

Occupation: Attorney

Elected experience: State House, 2011-present

Website: www.robbruchman.com

During my time in office, I have been privileged to have the opportunity to work closely with constituents on many issues important to our community. … I recently authored a bill and carried legislation on the House floor that makes it easier to start a new business and expand an existing one. … My goals for the next two years include working to improve the quality of education in our community, increase job creation across the state and promote policies that keep our communities safe.

Kansas House District 21

Democrat Amy Bell is challenging incumbent Republican Barbara Bollier in the Kansas House 21st District.

Age: 30

Education: Bachelor’s in history, University of Missouri-Kansas City

Occupation: Stay-at-home mom

Elected experience: None

I think it’s important to serve the community in any way that I can, and that’s what I feel I am doing by being there on the ballot.

Age: 56

Education: Bachelor’s in human biology, University of Kansas; medical degree, University of Kansas School of Medicine

Occupation: Physician, anesthesiology

Elected experience: Kansas House, 2010-present

Website: www.BarbaraBollier.org

As the pro-education candidate, I helped develop the recent plan to increase our local option budget so citizens can put their tax money into local schools. … To date, my most meaningful vote was a “Yes” for the Kansas Indoor Clean Air Act, which improved the health of thousands of people. … As a Representative I vote FOR the people of my district and am known for my independent stances.

Kansas House District 22

Incumbent Democrat Nancy Lusk fraces Republican Mike Jones for the Kansas House 22nd District seat.

Age: 60

Education: Bachelor’s, Wichita State University

Occupation: Small business owner; professional illustrator

Elected experience: Kansas House, since 2013

Website: www.nancylusk.com

I have been a strong advocate for sufficient public-education funding. … Under Gov. Brownback, the state has not restored the funding levels of the Base State Aid Per Pupil, higher education, the transportation fund, and other areas to pre-recession levels. Recent downgrades in Kansas’ credit rating by Moody’s investment Services and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services are testimonies to the fact that this budget policy is not sustainable.

Age: 47

Education: High school graduate

Occupation: Self-employed contractor

Elected experience: None

Website: www.mikejones4kansas.com

We shouldn’t have a representative that just votes what their party tells them to vote, but rather by what the constituents are telling them. … My priorities are your priorities. Great schools, great teachers, creating an economy that promotes job and business growth and making sure we all get to keep more of the money we work so hard for.

Kansas House District 23

Republican Linda Gallagher and Democrat Amber Versola are vying in the contest for the Kansas House District 23.

Age: 57

Education: Bachelor’s in journalism, University of Kansas

Occupation: Freelance writer and editor.

Elected experience: Republican precinct committeewoman in Lenexa Ward 3 Precinct 1, 2000-2006 and 2008-present.

Website: www.lindagallagher.org

I will focus on support for public education to ensure that Kansas students have great schools to prepare them for the workforce needs of the future. I will focus on economic recovery by seeking to balance our tax system so that taxes are fair and equitable while meeting the state’s funding needs. I will focus on job growth by creating a stable business environment for employers to launch or expand, and that comes from government that is pragmatic and policy-focused, not ideology-focused.

Age: 33

Education: High school graduate

Occupation: Community organizer, contracting with various local and national nonprofits

Elected experience: None

Website: www.amberversola.com

While speaking out for victims of domestic violence and women’s rights, I have learned how to navigate the political arena, whether local, state or national, and to be effective even when compromise seems impossible. These are skills that are badly needed in our legislature today. … I will use my experience … to ensure that our schools are fully funded, our tax structure is fair and the laws we pass reflect our Kansas values.

Kansas House District 25

Democrat Jennifer Robinson is competing against incumbent Republican Melissa Rooker for the Kansas House District 25 seat.

Age: 43

Education: Bachelor’s in vocal performance, University of Washington; master’s in music, University of New Mexico

Occupation: Small-business owner

Elected experience: None

Website: JenniferForKansas.com

Under the direction of Sam Brownback, the Kansas Legislature has enacted an agenda that jeopardizes middle class families, children, and the most vulnerable in our community. … As a Democrat, I am proud to stand for strong funding for our schools, support for our teachers and other unions and equal protection and opportunity under the law for all our citizens — regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Age: 40

Education: Bachelor’s in art history, University of Kansas

Occupation: Retired film executive

Elected experience: Kansas House since 2013

Website: melissarooker.com

I have fought for increased local control for our public schools, increased funding for Shawnee Mission schools, and key new investments for KU and the KU Medical Center including funding for a new medical education building. I voted to protect Medicare coverage for our seniors, voted to protect the successful wind-energy sector of our economy and voted to protect our independent judiciary.

This story was originally published October 14, 2014 at 3:31 PM with the headline "Election guide: Kansas House districts 8-25."