Kris Kobach should stop trying to influence U.S. Senate race

David Orel, the Kansas City, Kan., resident who sued for his right to vote for a Democrat in the U.S. Senate race in Kansas, skipped his day in court Monday.

His absence caused a judge to complain that the case had devolved into “political theater.” Which is pretty much what it’s been all along.

Orel, the father of one of Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s political workers, filed a lawsuit after the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach had erred by refusing to remove Democratic primary winner Chad Taylor’s name from the general election ballot. Taylor filed papers Sept. 3 to withdraw.

Orel contended state law requires Democrat party officials to choose a candidate to replace Taylor, citing a statute which says a vacancy “shall be filled” by the party. But that hinges on whether the word “shall” means “must,” “may,” “can” or something else.

While a three-judge panel in Shawnee County District Court made no final decision, it ruled Kobach had no grounds to intervene. Kobach has been working overtime to get a Democrat on the ballot to potentially dilute the voting strength of independent candidate Greg Orman, who is challenging incumbent GOP Sen. Pat Roberts.

Kobach, a lawyer, has a habit of intervening in controversial matters — like other states’ immigration laws. He also has a record of losing.

The citizens of Kansas would be better served if their secretary of state worked on ensuring a smooth-running election instead of trying to interfere in one of its races.

This story was originally published September 30, 2014 at 4:17 PM with the headline "Kris Kobach should stop trying to influence U.S. Senate race."