Several Democrats vying for public office stopped in Emporia on Wednesday morning and afternoon to speak with the Kansas State Building Trades group.
Speakers included Secretary of State Chris Biggs, Kansas gubernatorial candidate Tom Holland, State Treasurer Dennis McKinney and Lisa Johnston, a candidate for U.S. Senate.
Holland faces Sam Brownback, R-Topeka, in November. McKinney, D-Greensburg, will face Ron Estes, R-Wichita, for the state treasurer’s office. Johnston faces Jerry Moran, R-Hays.
Holland told the crowd that as an owner of a small IT business, he understands the needs of working people in the state. He also outlined many of the differences between himself and his Brownback.
Holland said Brownback is a career Washington politician who voted in favor of the $200 billion bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
“He doesn’t help out Kansans in need,” Holland said. “I know how to create jobs and get the economy going.”
After he spoke to the group, Holland also said Brownback’s Road Map for Kansas Success provides a lot of questions but no answers.
For instance, Holland said the plan calls for more local control of public schools’ finances. But what that really means, Holland said, is that under Brownback’s plan, schools will be financed heavily by local taxpayers and property owners — which would ultimately raise taxes.
“He’s setting public schools up for failure,” he said.
Holland added: “I’m there for you. Help me win this race.”
Biggs
Biggs is up for election against Kris Kobach, R-Kansas City. Biggs, who lives in rural Geary County, was appointed secretary of state in March by Gov. Mark Parkinson after former Secretary of State Ron Thornburg resigned.
Biggs said the biggest difference between himself and his opponent, is his management experience. Biggs added that he’ll take care of Kansas and noted that Kobach, an attorney, travels across the country to help states in legal battles.
“That’s where his heart is, and that’s fine,” Biggs said. “My heart is in the secretary of state’s office.”
Biggs said he wanted voters to know that he’s a dedicated public servant who is nonpartisan and detail-oriented.
“I’m the right person for this job,” he said.
Johnston
Johnston, D-Overland Park, faces Moran, R-Hays, for the U.S. Senate seat that is being vacated by Brownback.
Johnston has been an educator for the past 18 years. For the past seven years, she has been the assistant dean for student academic services at Baker University, where she teaches courses and oversees a variety of support services for students.
Johnston said she’s also involved in the university’s legislative process, which she said translates into wanting to run for political office. She said she thought about running for public office for years.
“We’re at the dawn of a new era in politics,” Johnston said. “It’s time for a fresh perspective in Washington.”
She said Congress has an 11 percent approval rating from the public, and added that it doesn’t make sense to send a Congressman to the U.S. Senate amid those low approval ratings.
She’s never held public office before and said the Constitution is designed to give everyone the chance at gaining a public seat, including those who have not held a public seat before.
“We need citizen legislators,” Johnston told the group.
She also said the government needs to move away from No Child Left Behind, which states that 100 percent of students in the nation will score exemplary on standardized tests by 2014. Teachers are frustrated with it, Johnston said, and there’s a widening achievement gap among students.
“They are our future,” she said of students. “We need them to be prepared to succeed.”