The Star endorses state Sen. John Skubal in this Kansas Republican primary
In the GOP primary race between the District 11 Kansas state Senate incumbent John Skubal and his challenger, state Rep. Kellie Warren, the policy differences between the candidates are not subtle.
But the starkest contrast between them is in how they see COVID-19, and what they think we should do about it.
And that contrast shows why it’s Skubal, a solid, moderate voice in the Kansas Senate, who deserves your support.
Skubal, whose diabetic 21-year-old granddaughter recently tested positive for the coronavirus, believes we should follow the science and wear masks because “the science says that we should.”
“Anyone can get this,” he said, “I would listen to medical professionals” in making any decision related to the pandemic.
Warren would not. She repeatedly indicated in our interview that she doesn’t believe what science has already told us, and would instead listen to public opinion, paying particular attention to working parents who need to send their children back to school.
“Parents, we have a vested interest,” she said. “I have a very vested interest in the K-12 schools reopening. Like I said, I have three kids here who are still in the schools. And what about the working parents?” If schools don’t reopen, she said, “It’s chaos.”
She also said she does not believe it’s been proven that masks slow transmission of the coronavirus, and that she hopes herd immunity will end the pandemic naturally.
“I’ve been hearing from medical professionals who’ve been talking about herd immunity,” Warren said. “That’s how you quell and crush the virus.”
It’s not. Researchers at Johns Hopkins have called that notion “a dangerous misconception” and said this in a statement: “As infectious disease epidemiologists, we wish to state clearly that herd immunity against COVID-19 will not be achieved at a population level in 2020 barring a public health catastrophe.”
Reaching herd immunity, where transmission is checked because more than 70% of a population has already been infected, would involve the deaths of more than half a million people, the doctors wrote.
On masks, Warren said, “The science hasn’t really even been that clear, right? The CDC first said don’t wear masks, we don’t need them and they don’t do anything.” Since “95 out of 105 counties in Kansas do not mandate masks,” she said, “I’d say it’s not a settled issue at all.”
Initially, in February and March, CDC officials said N95 masks were in short supply and should be reserved for those who were working in health care or were themselves ill. But since then, we’ve learned much more about how easily the virus is transmitted — and how easy it is to prevent transmission with a simple face covering.
Since early April, the CDC has urged everyone to wear one, and multiple studies have shown that this low-cost precaution is a powerful tool.
“If we all wore face coverings for the next four, six, eight, 12 weeks across the nation, this virus transmission would stop,” Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said this week.
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.
As on COVID-19, Skubal’s approach to other matters shows both that he has a deeper knowledge of policies that affect Kansans and that he is willing to evaluate issues on the merits rather than reflexively reverting to talking points.
Skubal said he supports Medicaid expansion, which Warren opposes, because “we have 130,000 Kansans without any health care other than the emergency room. It’s the most expensive health care we have” and the least efficient. Kansans overwhelmingly agree, and it’s shameful that the Legislature once again this year failed to get it passed. Skubal said the votes were there, but Republican leaders refused to allow it to be put to a vote, which is true.
Skubal and Warren also disagree on “Value Them Both,” the proposed anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution, but only in that Warren said it should have been on the August ballot, because it would tend to be overlooked on a general election ballot. Many Republicans feared they’d lose on this issue in a general election in which so many more people vote, and they insisted that it had to go in August. But Skubal said, “I will continue to be a ‘no’ until they put it on a general ballot” and get “more people to weigh in on amending the constitution.”
Skubal also talked about the disastrous current lack of staffing in the Department of Labor, and notes that Kansas is still not back to pre-Brownback levels of taxation. “If you want to fund things,” — schools, transportation, mental health and other necessities — “you have to have a revenue source.”
He’s been an independent voice representing District 11, which includes parts of Leawood and Overland Park, since defeating Republican incumbent Jeff Melcher in 2016.
Skubal is a former teacher, campus services director for Johnson County Community College and served on the Overland Park City Council. Warren, a Cornell and KU Law grad, is an attorney serving her first term in the Kansas Legislature.
The comparison between the two is dramatic. But The Star endorses Skubal because on policy, approach and just common sense, there really is no comparison.
This story was originally published July 24, 2020 at 5:00 AM.