Chuck Ahner is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore to represent the 3rd District in Congress. His Web site can be found here. His opponent, incumbent U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, chats Oct. 11. He takes your questions about the race and his positions at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 20.

annieinkansas

Good Morning,

In your press release on 40 under 40, it indicates that you serve on several positions in your church. What are those? And which church do you attend?

Thank You
AnnieinKansas

merrill

Could you outline your position on healthcare for all americans?

Thank You,
Merrill

bearded_gnome

Chuck, thank you for visiting Lawrence!
Do you support the current Secure Fence Act which just passed the congress? would you have voted for this, and supported the overall strategy of promoting border security first, before guest worker or “path to citizenship” were considered?

StacyR2009

What’s your personal background? Where’d you go to High School / College? What made you want to run for Congress?

GeraldFawkes

With no political experience, and two electoral loses under your belt, how do you expect to compete against a strong incumbent who enjoys support from both parties?

WestPointJames

As a West Point graduate like yourself, I’m saddened to see allegations of you not completing the required five years of active duty upon graduation. Would you please set the record straight once and for all?

jmart

The recent defeat of the anti-evolution majority on the State School Board indicates that Kansans oppose the teaching of creationism or intelligent design in science class. Where do you stand on this issue?

Raider

Chuck,

In follow-up to my previous question:

I am middle-class, middle-30’s with moderate political views. But I also happen to be a gay male, why should for you over your opponent? What is your message to voters like me?

Thanks!

bigdaddyo

What do you think about Dennis Moore’s ties to K Street lobbying firms?

KathyCook

Could you please answer whether you will commit to opposing vouchers. Your answer just needs to be yes or no.

Thank you,
Kathy Cook

Arminius

In an article written after the August 1 primary election, a Lawrence Journal-World reporter wrote that 3rd District Congressman Dennis Moore “is viewed as a moderate to conservative Democrat.”

Each year the Americans for Democratic Action (ADA) ranks members of Congress and assigns each member a Liberal Quotient (LQ). ADA considers scores from 40-60 as “moderate” ratings. ADA has never assigned Moore a rating within that range.

Moore has been in the House since 1999. During that year, ADA declared Moore a “House Hero” after the organization assigned him a perfect LQ of 100. Meanwhile, the overall average LQ for Democratic House members that year was 88.

Moore’s average LQ for the seven years ADA has rated his votes is 85. The overall average for all Democratic House members during those seven years is 85.7.

Aren’t media such as the Journal-World passing along inaccurate information when they characterize Moore as a “moderate to conservative Democrat”?

Bad_Brad

Given that candidates are often elected (and re-elected) based on the amount of pork spending they are able to bring to their home states, is there any hope in the world of reducing government spending?

Moderator

Hello. Today’s chat with Chuck Ahner will begin in a few moments.

Chuck Ahner

Good to be here this afternoon. I look forward to answering your questions.

satchel

Do you consider yourself a ‘moderate’ republican or are you a true ‘Reagan’ conservative. Honestly, there are a huge amount of conservatives who are tired of liberals in republican clothing getting elected.

Chuck Ahner

I consider myself a Republican. I believe that Republicans are united in their belief that limited government is good, taxes should be low, and our military should be strong.

oscarfactor

The so-called “NAFTA SuperCorridor” issue is big in the KS-2 race. Do you believe there is a serious attempt being made to build a 10-12 lane Super Highway through the middle of the country? Since I-35 is a very prominent Interstate in KS-3, what is your take on the SuperCorridor issue, and on the need to expand/improve I-35 in general?

Chuck Ahner

Our economy needs to continue expanding, wether it is in Wyandotte, Johnson or Douglas county. On the NAFTA highway, ths has been discussed for years yet I see little evidence of a SuperCorridor. I do see intrastate business picking up and believe Kansas has the ability to benefit from coast to coast traffic.

commuter

In the past few elections, the republican party has been divided between the moderates and conservatives. How are you planning to unite the republicans in the 3rd district against Dennis Moore?

Chuck Ahner

My win in the primary showed broad support across the third district and no evidence of a split in the party. All four candidates for the Republican nomination stuck to the issues and we focused on a growing economy, energy independence, national security and healthcare reform. These are all solid issues which must be addressed. This focus propelled me to a win in all three counties by the biggest margin in a decade.

Raider

Chuck,

How would you vote if a Constitutional amendment (Federal) banning same-sex marriage were presented before you? Why?

Thank you.

Chuck Ahner

I would vote to protect marriage between one man and one woman. I believe that marriage is an important institution that must be protected in our country. My priority, and what I would really bring to Congress is leadership on national defense and my experience in the business sector.

Kurt1975

We’ve been talking about the problems with the current US health care system for a decade now, what do you propose to increase the availability and affordability of adequate health care?

Chuck Ahner

Healthcare is a very important issue to me, and I know it can be a considerable expense to families and businesses throughout the 3rd District. I support making healthcare options more available to small companies and individuals through association health plans. I also support the right of an individual to have a health savings account. Furthermore, there is a lot of overhead that can be cleaned out of the current healthcare system. By passing comprehensive medical liability reform, we can lower some of the parasitic costs associated with high insurance premiums. We can also streamline the technology to make the healthcare system more efficient.

staff04

Mr Ahner:
What do you see as being the key elements to solving our nation’s dependence on foreign sources of energy, and would you support drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve as a step towards that goal?

Chuck Ahner

We absolutely must increase local production. Congress has been short-sighted in their energy planning over the years, and we consequently are suffering the consequences at the fuel pumps. Congress must allow exploration of our domestic oil resources, and we must also look into alternative means of energy production.

Fins

How would you deal with the current border protection issues? Would you propose any changes since it appears it is still overwhelmingly easy for terrorists to gain access to the US even with the increased security measures currently in place?

Chuck Ahner

We must secure our borders. My brother and I are both graduates of West Point. My brother currently works with unmanned aerial vehicles for the United States national guard. Using a combination of these wehicles and national guard personnel we can create an effective system of monitoring that can prevent the illegal immigration over the border.

KathyCook

Mr. Ahner,

If elected will you commit to opposing vouchers, tax credits or any other diversions of tax dollars from public schools?

Kathy Cook
Executive Director
Kansas Families United for Public Education
Shawnee, Kansas

Chuck Ahner

I am very commited to education, and active within my children’s school community. Another father and I recently created a “Dad’s Program” to help get fathers more involved in their children’s education. I believe that we must keep our public schools, including special education programs, fully funded. Our children are our future, and it is important that we invest in them.

Moderator

We have time for one more question this afternoon.

jmart

The recent defeat of the anti-evolution majority on the State School Board indicates that Kansans oppose the teaching of creationism or intelligent design in science class. Where do you stand on this issue?

Chuck Ahner

This issue continues to divide people in our state and has very little to do wth the office I am seeking. I am a man of action and want to take action on issues I can affect, like national security, energy and healthcare which can be seen at www,ahnerforcongress.com. I do believe that govenment needs to be more open and transparent, and things like earmarks and lobbyist junkets need to be reformed in DC. My office across from Metcalf South is open during most hours – call ahead at 913-385-2463 – and I would be more than glad to meet you and show you what my agenda is for the state of Kansas. Thanks for being part of this online chat.

Moderator

That concludes our chat with Chuck Ahner.