The Star endorses write-in candidate over admitted abuser Aaron Coleman for Kansas House
If Wyandotte County voters are to protect the name of their county and state Nov. 3, they need to know this name: Stan Frownfelter.
The current Kansas House District 37 representative — oddly, a write-in candidate in this election after seven solid terms — may be the only thing standing between the region and the guaranteed national embarrassment of electing his infamous opponent, Aaron Coleman.
Scratch that. The infamy of electing Coleman would be international, as were The Star’s revelations after his stunning Aug. 4 primary upset over Frownfelter. The 20-year-old Coleman has admitted to abusing girls in middle school, and one young woman says she later attempted suicide.
“The charges include: bullying, revenge porn, and blackmail — I just want to make clear all these allegations are both true and occurred only digitally,” a post on Coleman’s Facebook page says. “I denounce these actions and they are the actions of a sick and troubled 14-yo boy.”
The Star has also reported that Coleman was charged in 2015 for allegedly threatening to shoot another student.
Given what they know now, how could Wyandotte County voters double down on disgrace in the November election?
Or do they even know about it? In an interview with The Star Editorial Board, Frownfelter said an alarming number of voters he’s visited with while campaigning door-to-door aren’t even aware of Coleman’s well-earned global reputation.
“I say (to voters), you need to Google him, and then if you don’t like what you read, I’d like you to write me in,” Frownfelter says. “That’s all I can say.”
It’s not all he could say, of course. But perhaps he’s too much of a gentleman. That may be one reason Frownfelter is well-liked and listened to in Topeka — a crucial attribute for a Democrat among a supermajority of Republican legislators.
A 69-year-old small business owner, Frownfelter is not only a decade-long ranking member of the Commerce, Labor and Economic Development Committee, but also is one of the Democratic caucus’ go-to leaders on the all-important topic of redistricting. Legislators will soon be tasked with redrawing legislative districts, which will alter political party fortunes for the next decade.
Frownfelter’s other priorities include the sorely needed expansion of Medicaid, as well as legalizing medical marijuana — which he says, along with the potential for legalized sports betting, could bolster the state’s beleaguered bottom line. He’s also big on bringing back prevailing wages on public projects and a livable wage to replace old notions of the minimum wage.
Frownfelter lost the primary, he figures, because Coleman represents the Democratic Party’s younger, more extreme-liberal electorate. Indeed, Coleman has boasted of outflanking Sen. Bernie Sanders on the left. Frownfelter instead evokes the memory of Roosevelt, Truman and Kennedy.
“Those are my Democrats,” he says. “I’m not as progressive as Bernie is. Bernie’s a little more out in left field for me. I’m more around third base.”
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.
Also running as a write-in candidate is Republican Kristina Smith, a viable candidate who would be an infinitely better choice than Coleman. But in a House district that cuts only 19% Republican, hers is a longshot bid.
So is Frownfelter’s, unless voters take the trouble to write in his name on their November ballot.
Kansas law helps him some: Written-in names need not be perfect; the voter’s intent need only be clear. “Stan” would even do it, as would any variation of Frownfelter.
Both Coleman and Smith declined to interview with The Star Editorial Board.
It will be an uphill fight for Frownfelter, who says he only knows of one other past write-in winner in the 1990s.
Similarly, we can’t remember the last time The Star Editorial Board endorsed a write-in candidate. We do so now with enthusiasm, with the hope voters will avoid rewarding a dark history such as Coleman’s while heaping more discredit on the area.
We urge Kansas House District 37 voters to write in Stan Frownfelter — or something akin to it — on Nov. 3.
This story was originally published October 12, 2020 at 5:00 AM.