Davids says she’ll reopen constituent services office in Wyandotte County

Attending a “Souls to the Polls” campaign event Saturday at the New Bethel Church, 745 Walker Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, were, left to right, Brian McClendon, Democratic candidate for secretary of state; Sharice Davids, Democratic candidate for U.S. representative, 3rd District; Laura Kelly, Democratic candidate for governor; and former Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Sharice Davids, left, Democratic candidate for U.S. representative, 3rd District, visited with Jane Hatch after speaking at the “Souls to the Polls” campaign event Saturday in Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)


by Mary Rupert

Sharice Davids, Democratic candidate for U.S. representative, 3rd District, today pledged to reopen a constituent services office in Wyandotte County if she is elected.

Davids spoke at a “Souls to the Polls” rally at the New Bethel Church, 745 Walker Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. She was joined by former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Laura Kelly and Democratic secretary of state candidate Brian McClendon at the rally.

There hasn’t been a 3rd District Congressional constituent services office in Wyandotte County in the last several years that Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-3rd Dist., has been in office. Yoder’s office has been in Overland Park in Johnson County. His predecessor, former U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-3rd Dist., had an office in Kansas City, Kansas.

People shouldn’t have to travel that far to get services or see their representative, Davids said.

Davids talked about connecting to the people. She said that in Washington, D.C., “it’s very clear you’ve got a bunch of people making decisions that affect our everyday lives” who do not know how those decisions affect people.

Currently, according to Davids’ website, she has campaign field offices on North 5th Street in Kansas City, Kansas, and in Overland Park. If elected, she will have a constituent office in Wyandotte County as well as one in Johnson County.

Laura Kelly, Democratic candidate for governor, emphasized the importance of voter turnout today in Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Laura Kelly, Democratic candidate for governor, said, “Wyandotte County can swing this election.”

She talked about the importance of the voter turnout. She said that in the Republican primary for governor, only 343 votes separated the first and second places. Kelly faces Kris Kobach, the current Republican secretary of state, in the governor’s contest.

Kelly said Kansas is now recovering from eight years of the Republican administration, and “we certainly can’t afford the U-turn off the cliff.”

“We’ve already seen incredible turnouts for advance voting,” Kelly said. “We need to take our state back.”

Former Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said that she and Laura Kelly will be joined by former Gov. Bill Graves, a Republican, in campaign appearances on Monday. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, also a former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, said “We’ve been missing a voice for this district for a long time.”

Sebelius said former Gov. Bill Graves, a Republican, will join Kelly and Sebelius on Monday in campaigning.

“We need to make sure that everybody gets out and casts their ballot,” Sebelius said.

Brian McClendon, Democratic candidate for Kansas secretary of state, said early voting turnout is up in Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Brian McClendon, the Democratic candidate for Kansas secretary of state, said there were already 340,000 votes cast in Kansas in early voting as of this morning.

That includes 140,000 cast in the 3rd District, “because of Sharice Davids,” McClendon said.

McClendon said that is 30 percent over the 2014 numbers.

He urged the campaign volunteers to work to get the voter turnout up, and especially, try to reach those who usually only vote in presidential elections.

Alyce Edwards, vice chair of the 3rd Congressional District Democrats, predicted a good turnout of Wyandotte County women and youth in the upcoming general election. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

Alyce Edwards, vice chair of the 3rd Congressional District Democrats, was in the audience with about 50 others today and said she believes residents of the 3rd District will elect six more Democrats to seats in the Kansas House.

“I believe the women and young people of Wyandotte County are going to come out, and going to show out, and bring about changes in Topeka and the 3rd District,” Edwards said.

State Rep. Pam Curtis, D-32nd Dist., who is running unopposed for re-election, attended the meeting and afterward was asked if she was afraid of a caravan of undocumented immigrants coming through Mexico toward the United States.

She said that she was not afraid, and it was sad that some are trying to demonize the refugees. Looking at photos of the refugees, she realized they have been through so much and there are a lot of youth in the group, she added. She was in favor of letting the refugees go through the process of requesting asylum.

Also attending today’s rally, but not speaking, were Tony Martinez, a candidate for Wyandotte County District Court judge; Dr. Evelyn Hill and former Mayor Carol Marinovich.

The “Souls to the Polls” campaign event was held Saturday at the New Bethel Church, 745 Walker Ave., Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)
Former Mayor Carol Marinovich, center, received applause at Saturday’s “Souls to the Polls” campaign event in Kansas City, Kansas. (Staff photo by Mary Rupert)

General election voter’s guide

Three early voting sites are open on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Wyandotte County.

The Saturday voting sites are at the Election Office, 850 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas; the Community Room, 2100 Metropolitan Ave., Kansas City, Kansas; and the Eisenhower Recreation Center, 2901 N. 72nd St., Kansas City, Kansas.

Early voting continues on Monday, Nov. 5, from 8 a.m. to noon at the election office only at 850 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

Those voting early should be registered to vote and should bring their driver’s license or other approved identification. For more information, see https://wyandotteonline.com/early-voting-begins-tuesday-in-wyandotte-county/.

You can find candidate information by using the “Election 2018” tab on the Wyandotte Daily website, https://wyandotteonline.com/category/election-2018/.

Also, you can use the Wyandotte Daily search box at the top right of the page to enter a candidate’s name.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6, and the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must be registered. Bring a driver’s license or approved photo ID. Go to your designated polling place.

To view your ballot, go to www.wycovotes.org and click on the Quick Link “What’s on my ballot?” on the bottom right.

Here are some other links to stories about the contested races in the general election:

Governor

What’s at stake in Tuesday’s governor election https://wyandotteonline.com/whats-at-stake-in-tuesdays-governor-election/

Kobach trails Kelly in fundraising for governor’s race
https://wyandotteonline.com/kobach-trails-kelly-in-fundraising-for-governors-race/

Kobach claims he can save $2 billion for Medicaid, but experts say the math doesn’t add up
https://wyandotteonline.com/kobach-claims-he-can-save-2-billion-for-medicaid-but-experts-say-the-math-doesnt-add-up/

Kobach, Yoder take diverging paths on immigration in tight Kansas races
https://wyandotteonline.com/kobach-yoder-take-diverging-paths-on-immigration-in-tight-kansas-races/

This year’s race for governor could make or break Medicaid expansion
https://wyandotteonline.com/this-years-race-for-governor-could-make-or-break-medicaid-expansion/

Candidates for governor can’t stop talking about Brownback
https://wyandotteonline.com/candidates-for-governor-cant-stop-talking-about-brownback/

What Kansas candidates for governorsay about school spending
https://wyandotteonline.com/what-kansas-candidates-for-governor-say-about-school-spending/

Kansas governor candidates each have a plan to fix the economy, but will one work?
https://wyandotteonline.com/kansas-governor-candidates-each-have-a-plan-to-fix-the-economy-but-will-one-work/

Top candidates for Kansas governor disagree on medical marijuana
https://wyandotteonline.com/top-candidates-for-kansas-governor-disagree-on-medical-marijuana/

Laura Kelly
http://www.kcur.org/post/my-fellow-kansans-laura-kelly

Kris Kobach
http://www.kcur.org/post/my-fellow-kansans-kris-kobach

Greg Orman
http://www.kcur.org/post/my-fellow-kansans-greg-orman

U.S. Representative, 3rd District

One week before the election, Kansas congressional candidates finally debate
https://wyandotteonline.com/one-week-before-the-election-kansas-congressional-candidates-finally-debate/

Fact-checking the leading candidates for U.S. House, 3rd District
https://wyandotteonline.com/fact-checking-the-leading-candidates-for-u-s-house-3rd-district/

Democrats take different tacks in Johnson and Wyandotte counties as they try to win the Kansas 3rd
https://wyandotteonline.com/democrats-take-different-tacks-in-johnson-and-wyandotte-counties-as-they-try-to-win-the-kansas-3rd/

Davids says she’ll reopen constituent services office in Wyandotte County https://wyandotteonline.com/davids-says-shell-reopen-constituent-services-office-in-wyandotte-county/

3rd District candidate calls for reform of campaign finance system
https://wyandotteonline.com/3rd-district-candidate-calls-for-reform-of-campaign-finance-system/

Why incumbent Yoder says he’s the underdog in the Kansas 3rd District
https://wyandotteonline.com/why-incumbent-yoder-says-hes-the-underdog-in-the-kansas-3rd-district/

Davids scores fundraising win against Yoder
https://wyandotteonline.com/davids-scores-fundraising-win-against-yoder/

Major Republican committee pulls money from Yoder re-election effort
https://wyandotteonline.com/major-republican-committee-pulls-money-from-yoder-re-election-effort/

For stories about Kevin Yoder, https://wyandotteonline.com/?s=Yoder

For stories about Sharice Davids, https://wyandotteonline.com/?s=Sharice+Davids

For stories about Chris Clemmons, https://wyandotteonline.com/?s=Chris+Clemmons

Other state offices

Candidates hear from residents at campaign event in KCK
https://wyandotteonline.com/candidates-hear-from-residents-at-campaign-event-tuesday-in-kck/

McLaughlin, Schmidt run for Kansas commissioner of insurance https://wyandotteonline.com/mclaughlin-schmidt-run-for-kansas-commissioner-of-insurance/

Kansas secretary of state race pits ‘quiet’ conservative against ‘Google guy’
https://wyandotteonline.com/kansas-secretary-of-state-race-pits-quiet-conservative-against-google-guy/

Kansas House of Representatives, 36th District

36th District candidates differ on school finance, other issues
https://wyandotteonline.com/36th-district-candidates-differ-on-school-finance-other-issues/

Candidate forum is being shown on KCKCC cable TV, KCEC, on Spectrum Cable channel 17 and Google TV channel 146. Remaining schedule:
Nov. 3 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 4 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 5 at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
It also is online at the KCKCC YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/KCECable.

Kansas House of Representatives, 33rd District

Candidate forum is being shown on KCKCC cable TV, KCEC, on Spectrum Cable channel 17 and Google TV channel 146. Remaining schedule:
Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
It also is online at the KCKCC YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/KCECable.

Kansas Board of Education, 1st District

Two run for Kansas Board of Education, District 1
https://wyandotteonline.com/two-run-for-kansas-board-of-education-district-1/

Candidate forum is being shown on KCKCC cable TV, KCEC, on Spectrum Cable channel 17 and Google TV channel 146. Remaining schedule:
Nov. 3 at 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 4 at 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 5 at 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

It also is online at the KCKCC YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/KCECable.

Other election stories

Candidates hear from residents at campaign event in KCK
https://wyandotteonline.com/candidates-hear-from-residents-at-campaign-event-tuesday-in-kck/

Entertainer from KCK calls attention to voter registration deadline
https://wyandotteonline.com/entertainer-from-kck-calls-attention-to-voter-registration-deadline-on-tuesday/

Free bus rides offered to polls on Tuesday, Election Day https://wyandotteonline.com/free-bus-rides-offered-to-polls-on-tuesday-election-day/

More election information

For a story about polling places and times, including early voting, visit
https://wyandotteonline.com/early-voting-begins-tuesday-in-wyandotte-county/

Another good voter information website is the League of Women Voters’ Vote 411 at https://www.vote411.org/.

The ACLU Election Protection Hotline is 866-OUR-VOTE.
https://wyandotteonline.com/aclu-to-provide-hotline-for-election-nov-6/

For more information, visit the website of the Election Office at http://wycovotes.org/.

The Wyandotte County Election Office phone number is 913-573-8500, and its email is [email protected].

Kansas secretary of state race pits ‘quiet’ conservative against ‘Google guy’

by Celia Llopis-Jepsen, Kansas News Service

Republican Scott Schwab and Democrat Brian McClendon disagree on the most basic of questions about the job they’re competing for, Kansas secretary of state.

Case in point: Is it the secretary’s job to increase voter turnout?

Schwab, a lawmaker of more than 10 years, says no. He says the things that drive voters to the polls lie beyond the secretary’s control — times of war, ailing economies, contested races.

“The secretary of state can’t make people vote and I can’t change people’s hearts,” he said. “All I can do is make sure it’s a good experience when they do go vote.”

McClendon, a former Google vice president from Lawrence, doesn’t buy that.

“The current secretary of state” — Republican candidate for governor Kris Kobach — “has done the opposite,” he said.

This summer, a federal judge ruled that Kobach had unconstitutionally blocked tens of thousands of people from registering to vote.

Kobach is appealing, but won’t be in the office long enough to see that through. McClendon wants to drop the appeal. Schwab wants to pursue it.

Schwab’s campaign cuts a low profile — no flashy promises, just to do the job well. McClendon is pitching his Silicon Valley sensibility — a competitive drive to push beyond the status quo and make Kansas a leader in election administration.

Schwab is a former chairman of the House elections committee. He helped usher in the raft of statutory changes that reshaped Kansas election law during the Kobach era. Schwab offers to be the caretaker to that legacy who will work out any kinks and make things run smoothly.

McClendon is a technology executive turned ballot-access crusader. He sees myriad ways in which Kobach’s office is behind the times and poor at customer service. He launched KSVotes, an app that (according to its own data) nearly 25,000 Kansans used to register with the ease of their own smartphones and nearly 21,000 used to order advance ballots.

Kobach’s legacy

During his eight years as secretary of state, Kobach transformed a quiet workhorse office into a megaphone to talk about everything from immigration to guns.

He’s a regular on Fox News and a Breitbart columnist who carries sway with the Trump White House and made secretary of state Kansas’ second-most visible statewide office — eclipsing the attorney general.

“Kobach just absolutely flipped that,” said Michael Smith, a political scientist at Emporia State University. “He’s gotten so much more publicity.”

But controversy dogged his tenure, too. He lost high-stakes lawsuits, faced revelations of lax cybersecurity at his office (published by national media), and was held in contempt by a federal court. His appointee as Johnson County election chief drew public scrutiny amid repeated stumbles with election equipment.

Smith sees that as a backdrop for the candidates’ campaign promises of good government, even if only one of them — McClendon — criticizes Kobach openly in his ads.

Smith suspects Schwab, if elected, will take a different tack from Kobach — not so much in terms of policy, but in terms of personality.

“He’s more, sort of a quiet, get-it-done kind of conservative,” Smith said.

The Great Bend native has himself suggested he would bring a change in style and a focus on training and written guidelines for the county clerks who do all the heavy lifting come election time.

“People just want a secretary of state who is going to do that job,” Schwab said. “We’re literally going to be the secretary for the state of Kansas. We’re going to make sure our results and our elections are trustworthy. And then on the business filings, we’re going to make sure your data is secure.”

On policy, Schwab stands by the voter registration changes that he helped shepherd into law and that landed Kobach in court. He notes that they enjoyed bipartisan support as an election security measure when passed in 2013. He hopes the federal courts will ultimately allow the state to resume seeking documentary proof that voters are US citizens.

Schwab touts as a success another statutory change that Kobach spearheaded and he helped pass — the requirement that Kansans show IDs at the polls.

He suggests a departure from Kobach’s legacy on one point, however. Kobach grew his office’s powers to include criminal prosecution of voter fraud — work that traditionally falls to district attorneys or the attorney general’s office.

“I voted for it,” he said, but “I wasn’t real excited about it, because it was an expansion of government role.”

The change produced little fruit: Kobach’s office managed to find a handful of cases, compared to the thousands or tens of thousands that he said existed.

Schwab says he wouldn’t mind seeing the Legislature take away prosecutorial powers so the office can focus on core functions related to elections and business filings.

‘That’s just not right’

Like Schwab, McClendon isn’t interested in prosecution. Unlike Schwab, he wants to dig deep into Kansas’ election logistics and figure out why it recently ranked in the bottom half of states on voter registration and turnout.

The same study pegs Kansas as the third worst state on overall election administration.

“I can build a better system to make Kansas a leader in this area,” he said. “I’m competitive and I want Kansas to win.”

He rattles off the ways in which Kansas can improve. For McClendon, it’s not good enough that Johnson County has had repeated problems with its voting equipment. Nor does he like that Dodge City has a single polling site, relocated recently outside city limits to a spot without a bus route or sidewalk.

Garden City, another west Kansas metro of the same size, has half a dozen sites, he notes.

“So you literally have to get out of Dodge to vote in Dodge,” he said. “That’s just not right.”

McClendon promises to apply his tech savvy to election security — and to business filing systems criticized as inefficient by Republicans and Democrats alike. He wants to review millions in state information technology spending that he says Kobach neglected amid his high-profile hunt for voter fraud.

“We can actually save the state money and make the state easier to use,” he said. “Governments tend to do technology badly.”

Candidate challenges

In a normal election year, the race for secretary of state draws little money or attention.

Republicans have won it every time over the past 68 years. In recent years, they’ve won by margins of 20, even 30 percentage points.

That’s McClendon’s biggest challenge — having “Democrat” by his name in Kansas.

Yet last month, Governing magazine declared the Schwab-McClendon race a “toss-up.” Schwab is the favorite, the magazine says, but McClendon poses a true threat.

Beatty says Democrats win statewide offices in Kansas under limited conditions — such as a combination of an accomplished, well-resourced Democratic candidate and scandals or controversies that make the Republican vulnerable and raise the profile of the race.

When a lot feels at stake, residents of deep-red Kansas sometimes break their tradition of voting “R” down the ballot.

Schwab, meanwhile, is facing a competitor who has proved a well-connected and superior fundraiser — even without counting the money McClendon lent to his own campaign.

Sitting in his office, Beatty illustrates the Republican’s other challenge by pulling a pollster’s report from his filing cabinet. Less than 40 percent of respondents had a good opinion of Kobach.

“Now when you talk Kobach and a governor’s race,” Beatty said, “He’s fine with 38 percent favorable.”

There are three major candidates for governor. Schwab is in a two-person race. (The Libertarian candidate, Rob Hodgkinson, won less than 3 percent of the vote when he ran in 2006.)

“If he’s paired with Kobach in people’s minds,” Beatty said, “he can lose this election.”

Even if Schwab is promising a return to the type of Republican who just got the job done — without being a lightning rod.

Celia Llopis-Jepsen is a reporter for the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio covering health, education and politics.
You can reach her on Twitter @Celia_LJ. Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished at no cost with proper attribution and a link back to the original post.

See more at http://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-secretary-state-race-pits-quiet-conservative-against-google-guy