The Star’s recommendations for local Kansas Senate races

Two of the most vigorously contested Republican primaries on Aug. 2 for the Kansas Senate are in Johnson County.

In both cases, the bright and outgoing challengers possess financially sound viewpoints required to get the beleaguered Sunflower State budget back on stronger footing.

(The Star’s 913 edition next Wednesday will contain a Voter’s Guide with more information about Johnson County candidates.)

The Star’s recommendations for the contested GOP seats in the county:

11th District

Challenger John Skubal over incumbent Jeff Melcher

Skubal has served on the Overland Park City Council since 2007 and worked as a business development officer for an engineering firm and as the longtime director of campus services at Johnson County Community College.

21st District

Challenger Dinah Sykes over incumbent Greg Smith

Sykes is a professional chef and former PTA president running hard on pro-school funding issues.

Both Melcher and Smith have been outspoken members of the crowd of Republicans that has supported the reckless fiscal and social policies of Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback.

As we noted in the Kansas House recommendations on Sunday, new people are needed in Topeka to try to prevent the Brownback “march to zero” on income taxes from moving any further in 2017. A new Legislature needs to repeal some or all of the tax cuts passed in 2012. They are costing the state $650 million a year in revenue that could responsibly be used to pay for better public services.

The Star also is making recommendations in two Aug. 2 Democratic Senate primaries.

▪ In the 21st District in Johnson County, Logan Heley over Michael Czerniewski

▪ In the 5th District in Wyandotte and Leavenworth counties, Bill Hutton over Donald Terrien

This story was originally published July 17, 2016 at 12:05 AM with the headline "The Star’s recommendations for local Kansas Senate races."