The Star Editorial Board’s endorsements for Kansas Aug. 6 primary races | Opinion

The Star published in-depth endorsements from our editorial board for selected Kansas primaries throughout the month of July. If you missed any, you can see them at KansasCity.com/opinion/editorials We are providing them here in an encapsulated review of our recommendations. Kansas primaries are Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Republican ballot

3rd U.S. House District

We think Karen Crnkovich is the better option for Kansas Republicans. A businesswoman, she has focused on low taxes, spending cuts, and deregulation more than cultural issues such as guns and abortion.

“I am a common-sense conservative,” she told us in our pre-primary survey.

Parasanth Reddy, her opponent, is a researcher and physician. He wants to “secure the border” with Mexico.

But Reddy is, himself, an immigrant; we think he could be a stronger voice for comprehensive immigration reform, not just a wall on the southern border.

2nd U.S. House District

We make no endorsement in this race.

Derek Schmidt is the best-known Republican hopeful. He’s a one-time moderate who turned sharply to the right, and would likely be our recommendation in a normal environment.

But his 2020 efforts to help Donald Trump upend democracy are a stain on his record. We can’t ignore that.

Jeff Kahrs appears to be the most substantial opponent for Schmidt. He’s run a traditionally conservative GOP campaign, boasting endorsements from former Rep. Jim Ryun and Sam Brownback.

Michael Ogle, Shawn Tiffany and Chad Young are the other candidates in the primary, and rightly regarded as longshots.

State Senate District 9

We endorse Bryan Zesiger, a veteran (he flew helicopters in Afghanistan) and a businessman. He’s a candidate who promises a broader, more bipartisan approach to government.

Beverly Gossage, the incumbent, has served four years in the state Senate. She has used her position to promote bills harmful to transgender Kansans and to block Medicaid expansion.

Johnson County Republicans in this district face a choice: a candidate who faithfully represents far-right positions, or a challenger who promises a centrist approach. Zesiger is the better candidate.

State House District 33

We endorse incumbent state Rep. Mike Thompson for this seat. Thompson has represented his district well. He’s a veteran, and understands the challenges in western Wyandotte County.

Thompson’s opponent, Clifton Boje, calls himself a “Christian abolitionist.” While no one should be disqualified for office because of their beliefs, the Kansas Legislature does not need another culture warrior.

State House District 35

We endorse Wanda Brownlee Paige, a current Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools board member who has taught social studies for more than 30 years. “Not enough people are speaking up” for her community, she told us, and we believe her commitment to fight for tax relief and for an earner’s tax.

Incumbent state Rep. Marvin Robinson II has worked for his district, including a focus on the Quindaro Townsite, but he has also voted against Medicaid expansion and food assistance, which are sorely needed.

State House District 48

Randy Ross and Debbie Paulbeck are the GOP candidates. We think Ross deserves Republican support.

It’s a close call. Ross is a business consultant with a relatively traditional Republican approach. Significantly, Ross told us he wants to improve transparency in the Kansas Legislature.

Paulbeck promises to unite Kansans. “We need more people to listen and work to find things we agree upon,” she told us.

We don’t disagree with that. Taken as a whole, however, we think Ross is the more thoughtful candidate.

Johnson County sheriff

There is no more important task facing Johnson County Republicans than ejecting Calvin Hayden from his current job.

Hayden has pursued a fruitless probe for non-existent voter fraud in the county. He’s aligned himself with far-right conspiracy groups. He’s politicized his office. He’s feuded repeatedly with county commissioners, who must look out for the health of the county’s budget.

Hayden’s opponent is Doug Bedford. We strongly endorse his candidacy: he’s a veteran, a former undersheriff, and a professional. He will restore faith in the sheriff’s department, while working to reduce the relatively minor crime problem in the county.

In every possible way, Bedford is the choice over Hayden. We ask Johnson County Republicans to vote accordingly.

Johnson County district attorney

We recommend David Greenwald, a former prosecutor in Johnson County who now leads Douglas County’s efforts to prosecute suppliers of the potentially fatal drug fentanyl.

“The DA’s office needs to be much more involved in combating the fentanyl epidemic,” Greenwald said.

Steve Howe is the incumbent. We’ve said for some time that he hasn’t done enough to hold law enforcement officials accountable when they use excessive force or break the public’s trust.

It’s time for a clean sweep of the Johnson County courthouse. New faces will bring new perspectives to criminal justice.

Democratic ballot

2nd U.S. House District

We endorse Matt Kleinmann in this primary election.

Kleinmann’s freshness is a strong argument in favor of his candidacy. But it isn’t the only reason for our endorsement: Kleinmann promises a sharply drawn agenda that prioritizes the bread-and-butter needs of his district.

Kleinmann has promised legislation helping first-time homebuyers. He supports an increase to the federal minimum wage. And he vows to restore the U.S. Postal Service.

Boyda, last seen briefly entering and then quickly leaving the 2020 Senate race, seems increasingly out of step with her fellow Democrats.

“I am not your typical Democrat,” Boyda said. Yes. Which is why Democrats should support her opponent, Kleinmann, in this race.

Johnson County district attorney

Johnson County Democrats face a difficult choice with two extremely qualified candidates: Vanessa Riebli and Zach Thomas.

Narrowly, we recommend Thomas, a former public defender with years of experience in the legal system. He is a full-time attorney with Roth Davies law firm in Overland Park, a Gardner city prosecutor and a special prosecutor for Linn County.

“The district attorney’s office has been a mess for more than a decade,” he told us. “The leadership of the office has consistently led with partisan bias and personal opinion rather than on the law.

He’s right. A new perspective could be a welcome change for that office.

Opponent Riebli worked in the prosecutor’s office and brings that experience to the race. “I have built strong relationships within the criminal justice community,” she said, “and can utilize these relationships to move the district attorney’s office from a place of isolation to one of transparency.”

That’s a worthwhile goal. In this race, though, we endorse Thomas.

Nonpartisan ballot

Johnson County Commission District 6

We think incumbent Shirley Allenbrand deserves a nomination. She has worked hard to protect the county from unnecessary spending and taxes, while avoiding drastic cuts in programs that protect the quality of life.

The other candidates, Mike Storm and Tony Bergida, are much more conservative. This is a nonpartisan seat.

The top two candidates will run in the general election in November.

This story was originally published August 5, 2024 at 5:07 AM.