The KC Star’s recommendations for Kansas in the Nov. 3 general election
Members of The Kansas City Star Editorial Board research issues and speak to candidates before coming to a group consensus on recommendations for elections. Here is a list of the board’s endorsements for items on the Kansas ballot Nov. 3. This list will be updated as new editorials are published.
U.S. Senate: Barbara Bollier
Former Sen. Nancy Kassebaum is one of many Republicans who have endorsed Kansas state Sen. Barbara Bollier for Senate. That’s because Bollier is a centrist — a Democrat who switched parties — who holds positions in line with Kansans’. She supports commonsense health care reforms and another coronavirus relief bill. Her challenger, Rep. Roger Marshall, is not a moderate alternative. From COVID-19 response to doing away with the Affordable Care Act, he’s as extreme as Kris Kobach.
U.S. House for District 2: Michelle De La Isla
Michelle De La Isla, who currently serves as Topeka’s mayor, is the best candidate to represent Kansas’ 2nd District in Congress. She has a compelling personal story of overcoming adversity to become a leader in her community, and she’s on the right side of the issues. She supports expanding Medicaid and making health care more accessible with the Affordable Care Act. Her opponent, Kansas Treasurer Jake LaTurner, is campaigning with misleading scare tactics. He’s closely aligned with former Gov. Sam Brownback and his ruinous tax experiment. De La Isla deserves your vote.
U.S House for District 3: Sharice Davids
Incumbent Rep. Sharice Davids has been on the right side of the issues that matter to the residents of Johnson and Wyandotte counties, which are changing with the times. She is on the right side of the health care debate, supporting the Affordable Care Act’s protections for pre-existing conditions and the expansion of Medicaid in Kansas. She advocates for a strong bipartisan response to the COVID-19 crisis, while her challenger Amanda Adkins has downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic and forcefully mischaracterized Davids’ positions. Sharice Davids should return to Washington to represent Kansas’ 3rd District.
Kansas Senate District 8: Cindy Holscher
On school funding, Medicaid expansion and more, Democratic Kansas state Rep. Cindy Holscher’s rhetoric matches her record. In the House, she’s proven herself a hard worker for everyday Kansans’ interests, and wants to follow reason as the state makes its way out of the hole the coronavirus pandemic has blown in its economy and budget.
Kansas Senate District 9: Stacey Knoell
Stacey Knoell of Olathe supports fully funding Kansas schools and expanding Medicaid in the state. Those values are in sync with the western Johnson County district she’s running to represent. She would bring a valuable perspective to Topeka with her background as a teacher, sign language interpreter and volunteer for Catholic Charities. Hers would be a fresh voice of reason on important topics such as health care and education.
Kansas Senate District 10: Lindsey Constance
Lindsey Constance, a Shawnee City Council member, cofounder of Climate Action KC and elementary school teacher, deserves your vote for Kansas Senate. She is level-headed and representative of her district — but her opponent, longtime TV weatherman Mike Thompson, is radically out of step with Johnson County. A denier of evolution and climate change, the unelected incumbent believes the COVID-19 death rate is “infinitesimally small” and voted against both relief funding and extending unemployment benefits during the pandemic. Constance is the only choice, and not at all by default.
Kansas Senate District 21: Dinah Sykes
Incumbent state Sen. Dinah Sykes was a moderate Republican who opposed former Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s failed tax experiment. She’s now running as a Democrat in a district where the residents’ priorities align with her own. She will be a needed moderate voice in Topeka as lawmakers face the daunting challenge of digging out of the recession and the coronavirus pandemic that isn’t over yet. She’s also right to oppose school vouchers and favor Medicaid expansion in the state.
Kansas Senate, District 37: Molly Baumgardner
State Sen. Molly Baumgardner’s competencies overlap with some of Kansas’ most pressing needs, including funding schools, lifting up foster children and extending health care to all residents by expanding Medicaid.
Becca Peck, her Democratic opponent, has worked fiercely for important issues and supports a reduction in the food sales tax in Kansas. Baumgardner, though, is the better choice.
Kansas House District 16: Rashard Young
Rashard Young, the 26-year-old director of outreach at the Kansas Treasurer’s Office, should have a bright future in the Republican Party. He overcame a childhood of hunger and poverty to become a promising candidate to represent District 16 in the Kansas House of Representatives. We are disappointed he doesn’t support Medicaid expansion, but appreciate his focus on the coronavirus and distaste for partisan bickering.
Kansas House District 18: no recommendation
In the contest between Democratic incumbent Cindy Neighbor and Republican challenger Cathy Gordon, voters have no good choice. Neighbor has won and lost in numerous Kansas House elections since 2002, and has switched her party affiliation from Republican to Democrat. While we appreciate her willingness to meet with The Star Editorial Board, her answers to our questions were frustratingly short on specifics. Gordon declined to speak with us, and we cannot endorse a candidate who won’t answer questions about key issues.. We make no endorsement in this race.
Kansas House District 37: Write-in Stan Frownfelter
Stan Frownfelter has been serving in the Kansas House since 2007. The well-liked Democrat has the ear of Republicans in Topeka — a necessity when dealing with the GOP supermajority there. That’s why it’s such a shame he lost the primary to 20-year-old Aaron Coleman, a deeply troubling candidate who has admitted to abusing young girls. Voters in Wyandotte County can write in “Stan” or as close to “Frownfelter” as possible on their ballots.
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 12, 2020 at 5:00 AM.