The Star endorses a new and compelling voice in Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District
In August, U.S. Rep. Steve Watkins lost his campaign for re-election when members of his own party nominated another Republican for Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District seat.
Voters can be thankful for that decision. The 2nd District deserves effective representation in Washington, and Watkins has not provided it.
But the job is not done. The district now should elect Democrat Michelle De La Isla to the seat over her Republican opponent, Kansas Treasurer Jake LaTurner.
De La Isla, the mayor of Topeka, brings a history of overcoming adversity and a compelling personal story to this race: She was born in New York but raised mostly in Puerto Rico. She was homeless as a teenager, but through hard work and discipline, she earned a college degree in Kansas.
She served as executive director of Topeka’s Habitat for Humanity, and she was first elected to the Topeka City Council in 2013. She would bring a new perspective to the U.S. House, which could use it.
But De La Isla is also on the right side of most issues. She supports the Affordable Care Act and expanding Medicaid in her state. She has called for immigration reform. She wants to sit down with “responsible gun owners” to discuss regulations that would make Americans safer.
She has urged the federal government to do more to address the COVID-19 pandemic, calling out inexcusable inaction. “The most important thing is to, number one, safeguard our health access,” she said, including testing and improving public health facilities. Protecting small businesses and city budgets are also priorities.
At the same time, De La Isla could not tell us how she would have voted on the latest House COVID-19 relief bill, a $2.2 trillion package that was opposed by U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a fellow Kansas Democrat. “I don’t know the details of that one,” De La Isla said, which is concerning. The bill is easily available online.
Anyone seeking to represent Kansans should have a better answer to any how-would-you-vote question on current and consequential legislation.
But there is no question that she is preferable to LaTurner, who declined to meet with The Star Editorial Board before the primary and again ahead of the Nov. 3 election. His campaign and his supporters have resorted to tactics now familiar to Kansans: ads featuring ominous, blackened pictures, red letters and false claims that his opponent supports defunding police departments.
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.
LaTurner’s advertisements are shameless and deeply misleading. They do provide a clue about his approach to public service, which is troubling.
In a recent debate, LaTurner said he supports a federal requirement that insurers cover patients with pre-existing health conditions. Voters are onto that flimsy dodge. Patients with pre-existing conditions are already protected under the Affordable Care Act, which is under direct assault by LaTurner’s party.
LaTurner opposed the ACA. He hasn’t called for his colleagues to end their ruthless efforts to undermine the health care law and those who depend on it. His commitment to protect patients who are sick from losing their coverage is nothing more than focus-group-tested hot air.
LaTurner has also tried to link De La Isla with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Fair enough. Voters should know he is closely aligned with former Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, who came dangerously close to driving Kansas to financial ruin for a generation.
De La Isla should not be cautious or political during these last couple weeks. If she makes her case for a pragmatic approach to governing in a clear, strong voice, she could flip this slightly Republican-leaning district, which stretches from the Nebraska border all the way to Oklahoma on the eastern side of the state.
While LaTurner would be an upgrade from the woefully unqualified Steve Watkins, De La Isla is the superior choice in Kansas’ 2nd Congressional District, and she has earned The Star’s endorsement.
This story was originally published October 20, 2020 at 5:00 AM.