by Murrel Bland
The three Republican candidates running for Congress from the Kansas 3rd District all agree that the Democratic incumbent, Sharice Davids, has to be defeated. Each candidate attempted to convince the Republican faithful attending the state party’s convention in Olathe Friday, Jan. 31, of their abilities.
Pete Mundo, a conservative talk show host, moderated the debate. For the most part, the debate was civil with very few personal cheap shots.
The candidates are Amanda Adkins, Adrienne Vallejo Foster and Sara Hart Weir. All live in Johnson County and are trying to attract the middle-class “soccer mom” voters.
Adkins, of Overland Park, is on leave as an executive from the Cerner Corp. She served as chairwoman of the Kansas Republican Party in 2010 when the Republicans won all of the federal and statewide races in Kansas. She was chairwoman of the state of Kansas Children’s Cabinet. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas at Lawrence. She and her husband Jason are the parents of a daughter and son.
Foster grew up in Kansas City, Kansas — one of several children. She said her family members, who are Democrats, are encouraging other Democrats to cross party lines to vote for her. She is quick to point out that she is the only candidate who has held public office. She was mayor of Roeland Park. She was a member of former Sam Brownback’s administration in charge of Hispanic affairs. Foster said her campaign is based on “family, faith and freedom.”
Weir, of Mission, served as chief executive officer of the National Down Syndrome Society. Here she worked to pass the bipartisan Achieving a Better Life Experience (A.B.L.E.) Act; this federal law allows tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities. Weir grew up in Olathe where she attended public schools. She received an undergraduate degree in psychology and political leadership from Westminster College, Fulton, Missouri, and a Master of Science degree in public policy and management from Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
The Democrats have taken notice of these Republican candidates. Brooke Goren, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party, reminds voters that Hillary Clinton, a Democrat running for president, won the district by nearly ten points in 2016.
Goren said Adkins was a longtime adviser to former Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback who cut millions of dollars from public education. Foster was criticized for cutting city services in Roeland Park. Weir was criticized for working as a lobbyist for pharmaceutical companies.
Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is executive director of Business West.
