The Star’s endorsement for the Republican Kansas Senate District 9 primary | Opinion

Editor’s note: Today we are endorsing the Republican primary for Kansas Senate District 9. Read more here to learn about which races the editorial board is endorsing, and check out The Star’s Voter Guide.

Johnson County Republicans in Kansas Senate District 9 face a choice in the August primary election: an incumbent who faithfully represents far-right positions on divisive issues, or a challenger who promises a broader and more bipartisan approach.

Beverly Gossage, the incumbent, has served four years in the state Senate, rising quickly to become chair of the important Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare. She has used her perch to push legislation harmful to transgender Kansans and to block Medicaid expansion.

Bryan Zesiger, her opponent, is a veteran — he flew helicopters for the Army in Afghanistan — and a businessman, the co-owner of Z&M Twisted Vines winery.

We endorse Zesiger.

Gossage has sometimes used her power in Topeka in bullying fashion. In February, for example, she called an “informational hearing” on anti-trans legislation on short notice, giving members of the LGBTQ community just two days to organize their testimony and make their voices heard. She also kept the list of mostly out-of-state conservative activists secret from the public — and her own committee — until the last minute.

“It’s an intentional effort to ensure people are confused,” an LGBTQ activist told The Kansas Reflector at the time. It was, at the very least, a failure of transparency and fairness.

Gossage is also an ardent opponent of Medicaid expansion, despite polling support from nearly 70% of Kansans. Instead she has pushed so-called “junk” insurance legislation that would leave working Kansans undercovered in times of need and emergency.

Her Medicaid stance, Zesiger told us in our endorsement survey, “does not reflect the will of the people or the best interests of Kansans.” (Gossage did not respond to the survey.)

We agree with Zesiger.

Zesiger, admittedly, might find himself a bit out of step with his fellow Kansas Republicans. He says the 2020 presidential election was decided fairly. And he says his political hero is Arnold Schwarzenegger, the actor and former California governor who has fallen out of favor in the GOP because of his fierce criticism of Donald Trump.

“Schwarzenegger’s ability to work for the common good while maintaining conservative principles is something I deeply respect and strive to emulate in my own political career,” Zesiger said.

He is a reluctant supporter of Kansas’ effort to lure the Chiefs and Royals from Missouri. He says he is a supporter of special education funding, a longtime challenge for Kansas schools. And he promises to work toward full funding for police, schools and health institutions.

Zesiger also speaks enthusiastically about the possibilities of bipartisanship. Polarized politicians, he said, tend “to prioritize party loyalty over representing the broader interests of the people.” He said his goal in Topeka would be to foster “a spirit of cooperation and focusing on the shared goals that can unite us.”

Many politicians have embraced bipartisanship in theory, only to wilt in the face of political realities once they ascend to elected office. Would Zesiger prove different? We don’t know. It is apparent, however, that Gossage has fallen short of the goal. That’s why Zesiger is our pick.

State Senate District 9 includes De Soto and parts of Gardner, Lenexa and Olathe.