The $4 billion Panasonic project that was landed in DeSoto, Kansas, should also benefit Johnson and Wyandotte counties and surrounding areas, Gov. Laura Kelly said in a telephone interview Wednesday.
“It will have a huge ripple effect through Johnson County, Wyandotte County and beyond,” Gov. Kelly said. She’s also expecting it to benefit Lyon, Miami and Franklin counties, all within a driving distance.
The new plant will make electric vehicle batteries. The project will bring in 4,000 jobs, and following them will be other companies that make more capital investments, Gov. Kelly said. She is anticipating approximately another 4,000 jobs for the suppliers who will set up shop in and around northeast Kansas.
Gov. Kelly currently is making an economic development tour of Kansas, in a sort of victory lap, discussing the recent gains for the state. She is scheduled to make a stop in Kansas City, Kansas, on Thursday.
Wyandotte County should expect to see people moving in, and will probably need more housing, with schools seeing an increase in enrollment, and businesses should have more customers as a result of the new Panasonic plant, she said.
Unequivocally, the $825 million in incentives that Kansas offered Panasonic will be worth it, Gov. Kelly said. There are a lot of guardrails around the incentives, and the plant will not get any incentives until it produces, builds a facility and hires people, she said.
“Panasonic is a well-established, reputable company that doesn’t do anything second-rate,” she said. They won’t make an investment and decide to pull up roots shortly afterward, she said. When they make an investment, they’re in it for the long haul.
Every year Panasonic is up and running, they’ll see $2.5 billion in economic activity in the state of Kansas, Gov. Kelly said. Even in the first year, the state would recapture the incentives, she added.
“You have to invest to grow, and that’s what we did here, and it will be a game changer for the state of Kansas,” she said.
Gov. Kelly said she wanted to see economic development in all areas of the state, in the rural, urban, suburban and inner city areas.
“You can trust that we are working, partnering with our counties, Wyandotte County and others, and cities, to look for economic opportunities that are a good fit for them,” she said. When projects come along and it makes sense for a project to locate in eastern Wyandotte County, the state will be right there working along the folks from Wyandotte County, she added.
Gov. Kelly said she is also working on other issues that will help with economic development. One of those is working with the county to increase the number of quality child care slots available here. Also, there are housing issues here that differ from rural communities, and they are working on solutions to these.
Sometimes Kansas City, Kansas, residents say that they have not been able to get some of the high-paying jobs that are offered here.
Gov. Kelly said Kansas has a very strong Workforce Partnership operation going on, Kansas Works, where they are connecting with potential employees. Residents may research the jobs online and get connected, and there are also Workforce centers where they can go, and receive job counseling on what would be a good fit. Currently, there are about 65,000 jobs on the state’s Workforce database.
Gov. Kelly said the state and the local community, including Kansas City Kansas Community College, are working with a scholarship program that essentially pays for people to go to a community college or technical school to get a certificate or associate degree in a trade, nursing, welding or other program. These graduates are picked up very quickly by employers, she added.
“With all of the success we have had, we know that Kansas in the next few years will be in really good shape,” Gov. Kelly said about the future of the state.
“We need to keep our eye on the ball here – economic development is not something you do one year and let it go,” she said. “This will be ongoing during my administration, to continue to focus efforts on growing the state of Kansas, attracting more business, building our work force.” Younger residents will be able to stay in Kansas with jobs available to them, she said.
The state also is doing recruiting efforts to draw people back to Kansas or invite them to live here for the first time, she added.
When these efforts are packaged together, the state can be pretty attractive, a good job, a place with good schools and good housing, she added.
While most of the attention in the 37th District campaign centered around incumbent State Rep. Aaron Coleman’s past domestic cases and a traffic stop, challenger Melissa Oropeza did not focus on that in her campaign.
When asked before the election about Rep. Coleman, Oropeza answered the same as she told voters in the district – just research it and make your own conclusions. She refrained from saying anything about the incumbent, who as the youngest member of the state Legislature found himself receiving negative news coverage about some of his actions.
Rep. Aaron Coleman
When going door-to-door, and the constitutional amendment on abortion came up as a topic, Oropeza also gave voters a similar answer, research it to reach your own conclusion.
The “high road” approach worked for Oropeza, who won the Democratic primary Tuesday night with 49 percent of the vote to Faith Rivera’s 38 percent and Rep. Coleman’s 13 percent. Oropeza led Rivera by 279 votes. The unofficial results will be updated later with ballots that could still be in the mail and must be counted by Friday, and also with some provisional votes.
“I made a personal decision when I decided to run a very high-level campaign and not make any statements about my opponent,” Oropeza said. She encouraged voters to do their homework, learn about the candidates themselves and vote for someone who aligned with their values and issues, she said.
Faith Rivera
The second-place candidate, Faith Rivera, had filed first and did discuss her opponent’s record. Rep. Coleman’s actions had been the subject of criticism by Democratic party officials in the Legislature. Rivera, a community activist, brought some of the allegations to the attention of the public.
Oropeza said she believes voters were definitely sending a message in this election, and she was excited to see how many people signed up to vote, with a tremendous turnout.
Turnout was about 35 percent in Wyandotte County, considerably above the normal turnout for a non-presidential primary. There were 31,799 votes cast countywide, about 8,000 more votes countywide than were cast in the 2020 primary, according to election results from the Wyandotte County Election Office.
Oropeza, 45, is a nurse practitioner in gastroenterology, and has been in the health care field for 23 years. She attended Turner High School, received an associate degree from Kansas City Kansas Community College, graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas School of Nursing, received a master’s degree in nursing from KU, and received a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
Voters were generally thought to be motivated by the constitutional amendment on abortion on the ballot.
Oropeza said voters were making a statement that they want access to care, they want to make sure their care is not legislated by legislation.
There was a feeling on the part of voters that they wanted to make their own decisions with their doctors, without the interference of legislation.
“It’s something we do as providers every day,” said Oropeza, who is a nurse practitioner. “We give recommendations.” If the patient does not want to proceed with the recommendation, that is completely within their rights, she added.
Oropeza has a pro-choice stance, and when she went door-to-door, she heard a lot of comments from voters that they couldn’t go back to the past. The constitutional amendment language was so broadly written, it may have resulted in restrictions to access to care, many voters thought.
“We need to work on legislation that puts us forward, ahead of the pack,” Oropeza said.
Oropeza said her immediate plans are to make sure she gets out to more community events to ensure she is meeting with constituents. She wants to make sure she has a good grasp of the issues the constituents of the 37th District are interested in, to advocate for them after Nov. 8.
Oropeza will face Republican Diana Whittington in the general election Nov. 8. Whittington, who has a pro-life stance, did not have Republican primary opposition.
Oropeza said she knows the abortion issue is not over in Kansas, and it will definitely not be a sprint, but a marathon, where the issue could come up time and again. She wants to make sure they are putting out factual information, not to sway people, but to get the facts out and let people make up their own minds.
She also supports the expansion of Medicaid in Kansas; giving every student access to opportunity to advance their education or access to trade training; and support for the Kansas Promise scholarship, education at no cost to students.
With Rep. Coleman’s loss in the Tuesday night election, Wyandotte County will see a higher turnover in state representatives than it has in recent memory. Retiring or not running for re-election this year were Rep. Tom Burroughs, Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore and Rep. Broderick Henderson.
Three candidates are running in the Democratic primary for the 37th District, Kansas House.
Incumbent Rep. Aaron Coleman, a Democrat, faces primary opposition from Melissa Oropeza and Faith Rivera.
There is also one Republican running for the district, Diana Whittington.
The primary is Tuesday, Aug. 2, with advance voting currently taking place.
Rep. Aaron Coleman (File photo from 2020)
Rep. Coleman, age 21, faced opposition from his own party in the state Legislature after he won the last election over former Rep. Stan Frownfelter. Past alleged actions such as a revenge porn incident while he was a student, along with his words about a “hit” on the governor, which he said was misinterpreted, resulted in opposition from his party and not being assigned to committees. Coleman also had an alleged incident reported to police involving a dispute with his brother, and a trooper’s stop of him on I-70, where he allegedly did not pull over fast enough, also made the news.
Rep. Coleman could not be reached for this story.
According to information provided in the past by Rep. Coleman, he is a progressive who is a native of the Turner area. He was 19 years old when he won election as state representative. He had served as a Democratic precinct committeeman and in the Wyandotte County Young Democrats.
Coleman stated in 2020 that he wanted to bring a fresh view to the Legislature and to the issues that it considered. He stated he admired Sen. Bernie Sanders, and he wanted the state to work for all citizens.
In 2021, Rep. Coleman introduced a bill to reduce the penalties for drug possession.
Melissa Oropeza
Oropeza said she has been campaigning door-to-door, listening to constituents, and she would bring a new health care perspective to the district, along with being an advocate for the district.
Oropeza, 45, is a nurse practitioner in gastroenterology, and has been in the health care field for 23 years.
She attended Turner High School, received an associate degree from Kansas City Kansas Community College, graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas School of Nursing, received a master’s degree in nursing from KU, and received a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
“I am confident that with my educational background and professional insights, I can be a reliable and committed advocate for our 37th District and all of Kansas,” Oropeza stated.
Her top issues include health care and the expansion of Medicaid; giving every student the access to opportunity to advance their education or access to trade training; and support for the Kansas Promise scholarship, education at no cost to the student.
Oropeza also said she noticed in going door-to-door that constituents were talking about reducing gun violence, as well as the constitutional amendment on the ballot Aug. 2. She said she has encouraged people to educate themselves on the facts and make sure they are informed on the constitutional amendment.
She has continued her professional work and her advocacy in the field of nursing. She was appointed to the Kansas Board of Nursing in July 2021. Oropeza was recognized as the Nursing Advocate for Kansas in 2017 by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
Oropeza ran unsuccessfully for the Board of Public Utilities in 2019. She said this campaign is different, as it is very focused on one district instead of the county at large, and it has been more labor intensive, going door-to-door.
She has been an at-large member of the Johnson County Democratic Women of Kansas, and a member of the Wyandotte County Third Saturday Democratic Breakfast. She also has been a T-ball coach for more than 20 years at a park in the Armourdale area.
Oropeza stated she would like to preserve the diversity and cultural values that make Wyandotte County unique and prosperous.
“Solidifying and expanding these core values at the heart of Wyandotte County will help us to ensure safety and awareness within the community,” she stated.
“If elected, I will provide accountability and reliability for District 37 constituents as well as all of Kansas,” she stated.
According to campaign finance reports, Oropeza has received much of the financial support that is normally given to a Democratic incumbent for the state Legislature.
Faith Rivera
Faith Rivera, 43, said she has been knocking on doors and making phone calls, and her campaign has received some assistance from other officeholders in the area.
She said her top issues are defending women’s reproductive rights for all women; expanding Medicaid and health care access; raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour; and legalizing medical and recreational marijuana.
Rivera, a pharmacy technician, noted that there is a serious drug problem in the community. It has resulted in safety concerns for some employees.
She is well known as one of the persons who filed suit over the redistricting maps that split Wyandotte County into two parts.
“It was an eye-opening experience,” she said about the suit. She won in Wyandotte County and thought they would win at the state level, “but we learned so much,” she said.
“The biggest thing I learned is that there should be a nonpartisan third party that should be in charge of our redistricting,” Rivera said.
No one should be in charge of redistricting who has any ties or leadership role that would benefit from it, she said.
If elected, she will fight for redistricting reform in Kansas, she stated in her campaign information.
Rivera attended Bishop Miege High School and received her certification as an electrician at Kansas City Kansas Community College. She also studied at Johnson County Community College, in general studies, and has not yet completed that degree.
She ran unsuccessfully for the BPU in 2019, the same time that Oropeza ran for the BPU.
She also has volunteered with the Safe and Welcoming Coalition, and served on the parks and recreation board. She fought to keep Parkwood Pool open and also helped move the polling location from the South Patrol back to the Argentine Community Center. She also fought against the 24-hour Fitness center locating in the community center.
Rivera said that years ago, she was homeless for a while, living in her car, and she understands the challenges that single women face.
Rivera, who held rallies on the “vote no” position on the constitutional amendment, said she has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood. She supports the current Kansas abortion laws, and said she wants women to have a choice.
Rivera was instrumental in bringing to the limelight Rep. Coleman’s alleged involvement in revenge porn in his student years. She said that her kids were friends of some of the alleged victims.
“We need better representation here in Wyandotte County,” she said.
Rivera filed first for the 37th District, with other candidates filing months later.
Diana Whittington
The Republican candidate, Diana Whittington, does not have opposition in the primary election.
A retired teacher, Whittington stated in her questionnaire responses that she was the conservative, pro-life choice for like-minded people in District 37.
“I hope to bring life experience and common sense to the state house,” she stated.
Her three top issues included being more fiscally responsible during a time of high inflation and looking at how Kansans’ money is being spent in order to be efficient and effective, including lowering taxes if possible; parents having the right to decide upon the best education for their children; and support of law enforcement and first responders, looking at ways to lower the crime rate and investing in them, she stated in her questionnaire response.
Whittington previously ran unsuccessfully for state Senate in 2020 against Sen. Pat Pettey in the 6th District, and for 8th District Unified Government commissioner in 2021, which was won by Andrew Davis.
Campaign finance information
According to campaign finance reports, Oropeza received donations from several political action committees, including the KNEA, Building and Construction Trades Council PAC, Carpenters PAC, KC Bizpac and the International Association of Fire Fighters PAC.
She also received donations from three state legislators currently serving from Wyandotte County, and also a donation from former Rep. Stan Frownfelter, who held the 37th District seat before Rep. Coleman was elected. Oropeza reported receiving contributions of $7,381.26 during the latest reporting period, with cash on hand of $3,547.62 at the close of the period, July 21.
Rivera received mostly smaller donations from individuals, according to campaign finance reports. She did not receive larger PAC contributions. She reported contributions of $1,557 for the latest reporting period, with $3,107.32 cash on hand at the close of the period, July 21.
Rep. Coleman’s main contributions were a loan from himself of $6,000, according to campaign finance reports. He reported total contributions of $8,749.14 during the latest reporting period, with cash on hand of $856.88 at the close of the period, July 21.
Whittington reported receiving a contribution from Kevin Braun, a former state senator, of $500, according to campaign finance reports. She reported contributions of $1,450 during the reporting period, and cash on hand of $1,149.25 at the close of the period, July 21.
Voting details
Early voting in person is currently taking place in Wyandotte County, starting last Saturday.
Voting on Election Day, Aug. 2, is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at assigned polling places.
