The Star recommends Sharice Davids in Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat from Roeland Park, has spent four years in Congress and in that time has earned our confidence that she deserves another term representing Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District. Her opponent, Amanda Adkins, a Republican from Overland Park, challenged her two years ago, and lost by 10 percentage points. She now seeks to unseat Davids, 42, for a second time.
This year’s race may be closer, given that the district has been redrawn by the GOP-dominated Legislature. After redistricting, Kansas’ 3rd now includes more registered Republicans and is more rural. It includes the lower half of Wyandotte County and all of Johnson, Anders, Franklin and Miami counties. We were impressed by the degree to which Davids has shifted her own priorities and plunged into issues important to the agriculture community.
We think voters should send Davids back to Washington in January.
The incumbent has done well getting to know what her constituents care about and want. That’s changing, because the district is changing. Davids told the board she’s spent most of the last year listening and learning more about rural issues.
After joining the House agriculture committee, she said she’s hustling to prepare for the coming reauthorization of the massive farm bill. She’s made that legislation, and seeing that it addresses needs expressed to her by constituents, a top priority. Her conversation with The Star’s editorial board was studded with examples of requests from Kansans in the newly reconfigured district that she’s added to her list of to-dos.
“I spend a lot of my time asking questions,” Davids said. That’s a good position to take when faced with a recently redrawn district. We also found that Davids seems careful not to trade integrity for political advancement. Congress could use more lawmakers who vote based on what they believe to be right, rather than for what they think will earn them votes or face time on cable TV.
We like Davids’ willingness to work with both parties on legislation. That will come in handy should the GOP take control of the House. “From health care to infrastructure to agriculture, I’ll work with anyone, regardless of party, to do what’s best for Kansas,’’ Davids said.
Her record backs that claim up. Nearly 75% of the bills Davids has introduced or co-sponsored have been bipartisan.
This session, Davids has her name on new laws such as the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which would improve supply chain problems. While visiting rural towns in her district, she learned how supply chain clogs have a negative impact on the farm industry. She also worked to pass the COVID-19 Fraud Statute of Limitations Act to help catch pandemic scammers, and to pass a law expanding health care and benefits to veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances
Davids stands beside Kansas voters in her strong support for abortion rights. “I believe people have a right to make their own health care decisions, not the government,” she said.
Adkins, a former Cerner Corporation vice president and senior Sam Brownback aide who served four years as Kansas Republican Party chair, declined to meet with the editorial board. She describes herself as “very pro-life.”
Adkins has railed on Davids for voting for the American Rescue Plan in the spring of 2021 because she said it was a contributor to inflation — something that Davids has conceded could be true.
However, Davids defended her vote to spend billions in COVID-19 relief to survive a public health emergency and to “help the country recover” from the effects of nationwide lockdowns. Countries around the globe took similar measures, and post-pandemic inflation is a worldwide phenomenon, stoked further by Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. We were less impressed, though, that Davids did not have many specifics to share about rising costs and their impact on Americans’ day-to-day lives.
Davids’ personal story is inspiring. She made history in 2018 as one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress. A member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, she was raised by a single mother who was a postal worker and Army veteran. She is a lawyer and mixed martial arts fighter.
Sharice Davids has been a serious and unpretentious representative for Kansans in Congress for four years. Every election is about a choice between candidates. In this race, Davids stands far above her challenger, and richly deserves another term.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWho decides the endorsements?
Members of The Kansas City Star Editorial Board interview political candidates, as well as advocates and opponents of ballot measures. The editorial board is comprised of seasoned opinion journalists and is separate from The Star’s newsroom. The board’s members are editorial writers Toriano Porter and Mara’ Rose Williams — all veteran journalists with decades of experience. Editors Derek Donovan is also a member, and editor David Tarrant, while not a member of the board, reads and often improves each editorial we publish. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
What does the endorsement process entail?
The Star Editorial Board invites candidates in each race to meet with the board in an on-the-record discussion, the purpose of which is more fully understand what distinguishes one candidate from another. Board members do additional reporting and research to learn as much as possible about the candidates. The editorial board then convenes to discuss the candidates in each race. Board members seek to reach a consensus on the endorsements, but not every decision is unanimous..
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making endorsements, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they agree with us or belong to a particular political party. We do weigh heavily their stances on issues we consider basic tests of judgment and candor, such as whether they even acknowledge climate change as real, or if they continue to deny the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. We weigh these factors against many others, and state clearly what our conclusions are. Primarily, we evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues and their understanding of public policy. We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats, making recommendations about who the best-qualified candidate for each job is.
Why are endorsements unsigned?
Endorsements reflect the collective views of The Star’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. Board members all discuss and contribute ideas to each endorsement editorial.
This story was originally published October 11, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "The Star recommends Sharice Davids in Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District."