Election guide: Kansas House districts 26-121

Age: 59

Education: Bachelor’s in business communication, Southern Nazarene University, Oklahoma City, 1979; master’s in business management, Mid-America Nazarene University, 1992

Occupation: Vice president, Merit Bank, Olathe

Elected experience: Olathe City Council, 1991-present, except Olathe mayor, 1995-2001. Kansas House, 1997-2005; 2012-present

Website: votecampbell.net

The people will know what they are getting with me. I have been a state representative since 1997 and served on the Olathe City Council since 1991. My council ward and my state representative district are pretty much the same constituents. They know my stand on things because they have seen numerous votes.

Age: 49

Occupation: French (and sometimes English) teacher in De Soto

Education: Bachelor’s in secondary education, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 1989; master’s degree in secondary education, Kansas State University, 1999

Elected experience: None

Website: Facebook page: “Cheron for House”

I am a public school teacher, and I have seen firsthand the negative impact that Kansas’ economy has had on public schools. Restoring Kansas’ public schools and economy are my primary goals.

Kansas House 27th District

Incumbent Republican Ray Merrick faces Democrat Theresa Hohl for the Kansas House 27th District seat.

Age: 74

Education: Bachelor’s in business administration, Washburn University

Occupation: Small-business owner, retired vice president of a national food company.

Elected experience: Kansas House, 2000-2011; Kansas Senate, 2011-2013, Kansas House, 2013-present. Served as assistant majority leader, speaker pro tem, majority leader and speaker.

Website: www.raymerrick.org

My district is very Republican. I’ve been in the Legislature for 15 years and in the leadership for 10 years. I’ve been the speaker of the House, and I plan to be the speaker again when I get back. I think a district like this deserves somebody in the leadership. I represent this district well, and I’ve taken care of their issues.

Age: Did not answer

Education: Bachelor’s in special education, Colorado State College Extension

Occupation: Educator for the Shawnee Mission School District for 15 years.

Elected experience: None

My opponent, Ray Merrick, does very little for his constituents in District 27 and is more interested in making sure whatever his friend, Mr. Brownback, wants passed in the House is achieved. … I would bring new thinking and new approaches to the House that would be of benefit to all my constituents.

Kansas House 29th District

Democrat Heather Meyer faces incumbent Republican James Todd for the Kansas House 29th District seat.

Age: 34

Education: High school diploma

Occupation: Social service advocate for a safety-net clinic in Kansas City, Kan.

Elected Experience: Precinct committeewoman, 2011-present

Website: democracy.com/HeatherforKansasHouse and

facebook.com/HeatherforKansasHouse

I will work to resolve our school-funding crisis, restore teacher due process and ensure that our education system remains the pride of Kansas. I will fight to strengthen and expand Medicaid coverage, and protect Medicare for our elderly and disabled population. I will restore balance to our tax system so that it benefits our families, protects our workers and encourages business growth, while safeguarding our communities from further cuts to essential services.

Age: 32

Education: Bachelor’s in general studies, University of Kansas; law degree, University of Kansas Law School

Occupation: Attorney

Elected experience: Kansas House, 2013-present

Website: Todd4Kansas.com

For the last two years, I have worked hard in the Legislature to represent the people of my district, working across partisan divides and securing more money and local control for our schools. Having grown up with a mother who has multiple sclerosis, I know the struggles individuals with disabilities go through, so I worked with the MS Society to form an MS Caucus in the Legislature and helped to pass a disability tax credit that will make it easier financially for individuals to modify their homes to accommodate their disability. I strive to provide thoughtful and reasonable leadership.

Kansas House District 30

Newcomers Randy Powell of the GOP and Democrat Liz Dickinson vie for the 30th District Kansas House seat.

Age: 55

Education: High school graduate, Shawnee Mission East

Occupation: Financial adviser with Edward Jones Investments

Elected experience: None

Website: randy-powell.com

I want to improve the quality of education by increasing local control of schools and getting more money directly into the classroom. I’ll say “no” to tax increases. … I’ll also ensure we’re building a culture of life by preserving and enhancing pro-life protections, while defending Kansas values at every turn, including Second Amendment rights.

Age: 30

Education: Associate’s, Johnson County Community College

Occupation: Sole proprietor, Piper Lucy Photography

Elected Experience: None

Website: lizdickinsondistrict30.org

I promise to stand strong for my district and to work with advocates for everything from maintaining strong Kansas roads to treating our school teachers with the respect they deserve. A vote for me is an investment in our community.

Kansas House District 38

Incumbent Republican Willie Dove faces Democrat Jan Pringle and Libertarian Caleb Christopher for the Kansas House 38th District seat.

Age: 62

Education: Johnson County Community College 1970-1972

Occupation: Education director for Kansas City Regional Association of Realtors

Elected experience: None

Website: http://gedems.org/pringle4ks/

People in my district will want to vote for me if they are disturbed by restrictive legislation that favors one group of citizens over the safety and well-being of others. I refer to legalizing discrimination based on sexual preference or gender identity, denying a woman the right to her own health care and reproductive decisions, refusing due process to school teachers, taxes rates that favor the wealthy, unrestricted open carry of firearms without background checks, lack of Medicaid expansion and tax dollars being used for private schools.

Age: 27

Education: High school graduate; technical training and certifications from Centriq

Occupation: IT administrator at Challenger Teamwear and Challenger Sports, Lenexa

Elected experience: None

Website: None

Why am I running for office? Because somebody needs to; I want to give people another choice. I am willing to serve as a protector of individual liberty. So if you agree with the Libertarian platform www.lp.org/platform, then vote for me. I will do my best to implement it.

Age: 69

Education: High school graduate

Occupation: Semi-retired, insurance sales

Elected experience: Kansas House, 2013-present

Website: www.williedove.com

I have the ability to work with other lawmakers to advance this great state of Kansas. I have had conversations with Kansans who believe that we are on the right track for success in jobs and quality education K-12, higher education and technical education. I want to promote a safe environment for families, and, with the help of other lawmakers, protect the Second Amendment.

Kansas House 39th District

Incumbent Republican Charles Macheers faces Democrat Vicki Hiatt in the Kansas House 39th District.

Age: 62

Education: Bachelor’s in education, University of Kansas; master’s in special education, University of Kansas

Occupation: Retired special education teacher

Elected experience: None

Website: www.hiattforkansas.com

I believe the voters of Kansas State House District 39 are looking for a change in Topeka that will bring our state back to a more reasonable, common-sense approach to solving problems. … My opponent’s only legislative initiative was to introduce a bill that would discriminate against a group of law-abiding, taxpaying Kansas citizens simply because of their sexual orientation. I believe all Kansas citizens have the right to well-being without fear of being homeless, hungry or denied medical care.

Age: 47

Education: Bachelor’s in journalism, University of Kansas; law degree, Thomas M. Cooley School of Law

Occupation: Attorney

Elected experience: Kansas House 2013-present. Republican Precinct Committeeman for multiple terms.

Website: www.macheers.com

As a Reagan Republican, I believe we need to let families and small businesses keep as much of their hard-earned money as possible so more jobs can be created in the private sector, and we need to keep government focused and limited. My record in the Legislature shows I can work with others to get things done for our community. And in the last two years, the results have been very positive: unemployment dropping to under 5 percent — among the lowest in the nation — real tax relief for families in our community, and large increases in K-12 funding.

Kansas House District 43

Incumbent Republican Bill Sutton and Democrat Caitlin Trujillo face off for the Kansas House 43rd District seat.

Age: 24

Education: Bachelor’s in political science, Brown University

Occupation: Retail

Elected experience: None

Website: trujilloforkansas.com

Our Legislature has become too focused on partisan political games at the expense of responsible government. We need to reprioritize the issues that matter to Kansans and to people in the 43rd District, like strong schools, balanced tax policy and job growth. If elected, I would strive to restore common sense to our state’s government by doubling down on the most critical policy issues facing Kansas.

Age: 47

Education: Paola High School

Occupation: Steelworker

Elected experience: Kansas House, since 2013

Website: billsutton.us

Voters should choose me to continue to represent the 43^rd District because I’m representative of the 43^rd District. The people of this district value life and liberty. So do I. The people of this district believe that they are more responsible stewards of their money than a government entity. I concur. In Topeka, I have been and, if re-elected will continue to be, the voice of the 43^rd District in Kansas.

Kansas House District 48

Incumbent Republican Marvin Kleeb faces Democrat Sandy Ackerson in the Kansas House District 48 race.

Age: 57

Education: Bachelor’s in business administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Occupation: Small business owner for 30 years

Elected experience: Kansas House, 2009-present

Website: marvinkleeb.com

For 30 years, I have been a small business owner helping thousands of Kansans find better jobs, advancement in their careers and improvement in their incomes and lives. During that same time frame, I have worked with hundreds of companies and I have seen firsthand the positive, or negative, impact government can have on economic growth and job creation through its educational outcomes and regulatory, legal and tax environment. I take this real-world understanding and experience to Topeka as a respected, trusted and common-sense leader who works hard to ensure all Kansans will have access to a quality educational system and to a vibrant economy that will provide opportunity and financial security.

Age: 77

Education: Bachelor’s in education and master’s in history, University of Kansas

Occupation: Retired educator, Olathe North High School

Elected experience: None

Website: Democracy.com/SandyAckerson48

Great schools that produce a highly skilled and educated workforce have brought businesses and jobs to Johnson County. Now they and our kids are in trouble. Deep tax cuts for business have led to deep cuts for schools. The way of life that has made Johnson County an asset for the state — through strong education, growing jobs, safe neighborhoods and services — is threatened. It’s time to stop experimenting and re-establish common-sense economics in Kansas. I want to make Topeka a place where we can once more get things done for communities and families.

Kansas House District 49

Republican Scott Schwab seeks to retain his seat in the Kansas House 49th District. His opponent, Democrat Darnell Hunt, did not participate in The Star’s election guide.

Age: 42

Education: Bachelor’s in communications, Fort Hays State University, 1994

Occupation: Healthcare sales/marketing

Elected experience: Kansas House, 2003-2006 and 2008-present.

Website: www.scottschwab.com

The primary reason for my desire to serve in the Kansas House is to help create an economic environment for kids like mine to have a future here in Kansas. So parents like me can have some assurance of their children’s opportunity to live here and see their grandchildren on more days than just holidays. To keep us on an educational and economic trajectory that allows more people to call Kansas home.

Kansas House District 78

Incumbent Republican Ron Ryckman faces Democrat James Poe for the Kansasa House 78th District seat.

Age: 66

Education: High school graduate, Bishop Ward High School

Occupation: Retired railroad engineer and manager

Elected experience: None

Website: jamespoeiii.wix.com/jamespoeiii

I believe I have the work experience to effectively lead so we can bring in a budget that would be balanced. I also don’t believe that the administration wants to close tax loopholes for business, which I believe is essential. And the way education is being downgraded is not advantageous to attracting business to develop in Kansas. I would work to expand Medicaid and protect Medicare and Social Security. And I would work so all citizens would be able to vote.

Age: 42

Education: Bachelor’s in business administration, MidAmerica Nazarene University

Occupation: Small business owner

Elected experience: Olathe City Council 2009-present, Kansas House 2013-present

Website: ronforkansas.com

We chose this area to raise our family and make our home. We have a vested interest in making sure this area and Kansas remains an outstanding place to raise a family. That includes making sure it continues to attract quality jobs and economic investment that support our excellent quality of life including our award winning schools. That has been a hallmark of my tenure in the Legislature, and that is something that I hope to continue.

Kansas House District 121

Republican Mike Kiegerl seeks to retain his seat for Kansas House District 121. His opponent, Democrat Gary Smith, did not participate in The Star’s election guide.

Age: 75

Education: Bachelor’s in business/economics, Park University, Parkville,; MBA, Thunderbird School of Global Management, Glendale, Ariz.

Occupation: Worked for TWA and later founded several companies. Also taught at the college level for 24 years as an adjunct professor.

Elected experience: Kansas House, District 43, 2005-12. Appointed to succeed Arlen Siegfried as 121^st District representative in 2013.

Website: www.mikekiegerl.us

I stand for the right to life, family values, the Second Amendment, the disabled, poor and elderly, children’s issues, free competitive markets and against high taxes. As for education funding, I supported the bill that added $129 million in state aid to public schools and increased local control, a policy sought by Johnson County schools for many years and won this year under conservative leadership. I also believe that state school spending should be targeted to the classroom and improving teacher salaries rather than administration and overhead.

This story was originally published October 14, 2014 at 4:46 PM with the headline "Election guide: Kansas House districts 26-121."