Voters guide
Kansas voters go to the polls Tuesday to select winners in area, statewide and national races. Here’s a look at the candidates.
Governor
The top position in state government is up for grabs Tuesday. Two-term Gov. Bill Graves, a Republican, is prohibited from seeking a third term.
Kathleen Sebelius
Democrat, Topeka
Age: 54
Family: Married, two children
Education: Bachelor of arts degree from Trinity College in Washington, D.C. 1970; master’s of public administration from Kansas University, 1978
Occupation: State insurance commissioner
Political and governmental experience: Elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, 1986-94; state insurance commissioner, 1994-present. Sebelius is the daughter of a former Ohio governor and daughter-in-law to a former Kansas congressman.
Issues: Sebelius has pledged to make public schools her No. 1 priority and to embark on a top-to-bottom performance audit of state government. She is pro-choice and has said she plans no changes to state abortion law. She has refused to take a no-tax pledge, but says she doesn’t believe Kansans can afford higher taxes.
Tim Shallenburger
Republican, Topeka
Age: 48
Family: Married, one child
Education: Baxter Springs High School, 1972; attended Pittsburg State University and Coffeyville Community College
Occupation: State treasurer.
Political and governmental experience: Elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, 1986-98. House speaker 1995-1998. Elected state treasurer, 1998-present.
Issues: Shallenburger is a conservative Republican. He has pledged to not raise taxes. He has been endorsed by the National Rifle Assn. and Kansans for Life, an anti-abortion group. He opposes expanding gambling.
Dennis Hawver
Libertarian, Ozawkie
Age: 59
Family: Married, six children
Education: Topeka High School, 1961; bachelor’s degree in history, Washburn University of Topeka, 1965; law degree, Washburn University, 1974
Occupation: Attorney
Political and governmental experience: Served in the Air Force as a combat intelligence officer, 1966-71, leaving as a captain; began law practice, 1974; practiced law in Honolulu, 1985-93; returned to Kansas to practice law, 1993.
Issues: Advocates decriminalizing drug use and has promised to pardon nonviolent drug offenders now in prison. Cut state government work force by half. Maintain current highway system, but build no new roads. Minimize government programs.
Ted Pettibone
Reform, St. Marys
Age: 45
Family: Married, eight children
Education: Bachelor of arts degree from Hillsdale College; master’s of business administration from University of Texas
Occupation: Self-employed
Political and governmental experience: None
Issues: Believes education and former work experience as financial manager makes him best qualified to lead state out of fiscal problems; supports 10 percent across-the-board cut in spending. Wants to establish initiative and referendum where voters can petition the government to put certain issues on the ballot.
Attorney General
Two-term incumbent Carla Stovall decided not to seek re-election creating an open race for the state’s top lawyer.
Chris Biggs
Democrat, Junction City
Age: 43
Family: Married, one child
Education: Bachelor of arts degree in social work, Kansas State University, 1980; law degree from Kansas University, 1983
Occupation: Geary County attorney
Political and governmental experience: Geary County attorney, 1988-present.
Issues: Biggs has said his experience as a prosecutor makes him better qualified to assist the Legislature in making state sentencing laws more consistent. He is in favor of increased treatment for drug and alcohol offenders and use of programs that require criminals to make restitution to their victims.
Phill Kline
Republican, Shawnee
Age: 42
Family: Married, one child
Education: Shawnee Mission High School, 1978; bachelor’s degree of sciences in public relations and political science, Central Missouri State University, 1982; law degree, Kansas University, 1987.
Occupation: Lawyer, small businessman
Political and governmental experience: Kansas House of Representatives 1992-2000; four years as chairman of the House Taxation Committee and one year as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
Issues: Kline is an anti-abortion conservative. He favors tough-on-crime legislation and authored several laws dealing with victims rights.
Insurance commissioner
Two-term incumbent Kathleen Sebelius is running for governor, creating an opening for the insurance commissioner post.
Jim Garner
Democrat, Coffeyville
Age: 39
Family: Single
Education: Field Kindley High School, 1981; associate degree in history, Coffeyville Community College, 1983; bachelor of arts in history, Kansas University, 1985; law degree, Kansas University, 1988
Occupation: Lawyer, state legislator
Political and governmental experience: Elected to Kansas House of Representatives, 1990-present; elected House Democratic Leader, 1999-present; U.S. District Court law clerk, 1988-90.
Issues: Protecting consumers; refusing campaign contributions from the insurance industry.
Sandy Praeger
Republican, Lawrence
Age: 57
Family: Married; two children
Education: Undergraduate degree in education from Kansas University, 1966
Occupation: Health-care consultant, state senator
Political and governmental experience: Member of Kansas Senate since 1992; member of Kansas House 1990-92; served on Lawrence City Commission and was mayor 1986-87; member of numerous community boards and commissions.
Issues: Increasing availability of insurance to make rates more competitive; instituting ways to cover more people who are uninsured.
State Treasurer
One-term Republican state treasurer Tim Shallenburger is running for governor, opening up the state treasurer position.
Sally Finney
Democrat, Olathe
Age: 44
Family: Divorced, no children
Education: Attended Washburn University; bachelor of science and master’s in biology from University of Arizona
Occupation: Executive director of Kansas Public Health Assn.
Political and governmental experience: Lobbied for cigarette tax increase; served two terms on Tucson Education Assn. board of directors; serves on governing boards of Safe Kids Coalition, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of Greater Kansas City, and the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund’s Dental Advisory Group.
Issues: Making the Learning Quest college savings program more attractive; helping farmers gain access to low-interest loans; cutting administrative costs; bankruptcy prevention; and restricting marketing of credit cards to young people.
Lynn Jenkins
Republican, Topeka
Age: 39
Family: Married, two children
Education: Holton High School, 1981; associate degree in business, Kansas State, 1983; bachelor of science in accounting, Weber State College, 1985.
Occupation: Certified public accountant, state senator
Political and governmental experience: Elected to Kansas Senate, 2000-present; Elected to House of Representatives, 1998-2000.
Issues: Establish a “bank at school” program to teach students about money; expand the Learning Quest program; expand the low-interest rate agricultural loan program.
Secretary of State
Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh seeks a third four-year term. He faces a challenge from a state senator.
David Haley
Democrat, Kansas City
Age: 44
Family: Married, four children
Education: Bachelor of arts degree, Moorehouse College, 1980; law degree, Howard University, 1984
Occupation: Public affairs consultant, state senator
Political and governmental experience: Elected to Kansas Senate, 2000-present; elected to Kansas House of Representatives, 1994-2000.
Issues: Cut the office budget and secretary’s salary by 10 percent; decrease fees and increase voter turnout.
Ron Thornburgh
Republican, Topeka
Age: 39
Family: Married, two children
Education: Bachelor of arts in criminal justice, Washburn University, 1985
Occupation: Secretary of state
Political and governmental experience: Elected Secretary of State, 1994-present; prior to that worked in secretary of state’s office since 1983.
Issues: Enhance customer service; increase electronic filings; improve voter turnout.
Charles St.-George
Reform, Wheaton
Age: 46
Family: Married, seven children
Education: Bachelor of Arts from Providence College; U.S. Air Force Officer Training School.
Occupation: Semi-retired barber
Political and governmental experience: None
Issues: Reform of primaries’ initiative and referendum; improve voter turnout; anti-abortion.
U.S. Congress 2nd District
Incumbent Republican Jim Ryun was unopposed in the August primary but faces Democratic and Libertarian challengers in Tuesday’s general election.
Jim Ryun
Republican, rural Lawrence
Age: 55
Family: Married, four children
Education: Kansas University, 1970
Occupation: U.S. House of Representatives
Political or governmental experience: Three terms in the U.S. House.
Issues: Maintain presence of Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth, streamline homeland security agencies, reduce federal taxes.
Art Clack
Libertarian, Manhattan
Age: 53
Family: Divorced, two children
Education: Colorado School of Trades, 1970-74
Occupation: Computer repairman
Political or governmental experience: Ran for the seat in 1992 and 1996.
Issues: Reducing the size and impact of government on business and personal lives.
Dan Lykins
Democrat, Topeka
Age: 56
Family: Married, four children
Education: Kansas State University, 1968; Washburn University law school, 1972
Occupation: Attorney, Bryan, Lykins, Hejtmanek & Fincher law firm
Political or governmental experience: Candidate for Kansas attorney general, Democratic Party treasurer, state highway commission staff attorney, aide to Gov. Robert Docking.
Issues: Fight corporate corruption, lower prescription drug costs, save Kansas family farms, keep Social Security out of the stock market, raise minimum wage.
U.S. Congress 3rd District
Dawn Bly
Reform, Overland Park
Age: 34
Family: Single
Education: Computer science and music degrees, University of Missouri; pursuing an M.B.A. from Kansas University
Occupation: Consultant, Midwest Consulting Group
Political or governmental experience: None
Issues: Protecting personal privacy and other constitutional rights from attacks related to anti-terrorism initiatives, representing small business, balancing the federal budget and protecting Americans’ right to bear arms.
Douglas Martin
Libertarian, Wichita
Age: 31
Family: Single
Education: Attended Kansas University; engineering degree, U.S. Military Academy, 1994
Occupation: Supply chain program manager, Cessna Aircraft Co.
Political or governmental experience: Commissioned officer in the U.S. Army.
Issues: Tax reduction and flat tax, reduced regulation on business, reform of Social Security and the welfare system.
Dennis Moore
Democrat, Lenexa
Age: 56
Family: Married, seven children
Education: Political science degree, Kansas University; law degree, Washburn University
Occupation: Lawyer, congressman
Political or governmental experience: Kansas assistant attorney general; Johnson County district attorney, 1976-88; Johnson County Community College Board of Trustees, 1993-present; U.S. House of Representatives, 1999-present.
Issues: Wrote legislation forgiving student loans to alleviate teacher shortage. Supports crackdown on corporate misconduct and health care reform. Wrote legislation passed in House for Social Security protection.
Adam Taff
Republican, Lake Quivira
Age: 37
Family: Single
Education: B.A. economics, Benedictine College, Atchison; attended Kansas University School of Law
Occupation: United Airlines pilot; flight instructor in U.S. Naval Reserve; international marketing and strategy consultant.
Political or governmental experience: None
Issues: Opposes school vouchers; supports permanent tax cuts for small businesses and lowering capital gains taxes. Backs preserving Social Security benefits and providing prescription drug benefits. Wants to reduce class sizes and increase teacher pay.
Kansas House 10th District
The district includes northeast Franklin County and part of southeastern Douglas County.
Ralph Tanner
Republican, Baldwin
Age: 75
Family: Married, three children
Education: Birmingham-Southern College, University of Alabama
Occupation: Retired college professor and college president
Political and governmental experience: Kansas House, 1994-present
Issues: Supports education but warns that increased revenues are unlikely until the economy rebounds. Supports tying increased funding for school to improved performance. If re-elected, says he’ll neither seek nor accept chairmanship of the House Education Committee, a position he now holds. Not a fan of raising taxes but has refused to sign no-new-tax pledge. Willing to raise state tax on high-end incomes. Pro-choice.
Tom Holland
Democrat, Baldwin
Age: 41
Family: Married, four children
Education: Indiana University, University of Minnesota
Occupation: Owns software consulting business
Political and governmental experience: None
Issues: Disappointed with Legislature’s recent performance, says he’ll take a sensible businessman’s approach. Wants a review of products and services now exempt from state sales tax. Opposes lifting local option restriction because it lets state “pass the buck” onto local property taxes. Willing to raise state tax on high-end incomes. Supports increased spending on schools. Pro-choice.
38th District
This new district includes the K-10 corridor from Johnson County to Douglas County.
Rob Boyer
Republican, Olathe
Age: 34
Family: Married, three children
Education: Undergraduate degree in Russian studies and history; U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Co.; working on a master’s degree in international affairs at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Occupation: Owns Shred-It paper shredding and recycling franchises in Kansas, Missouri, Idaho and Utah.
Political and governmental experience: None
Issues: Supports public schools and economic development along K-10 corridor. Pro-choice. Willing to raise taxes to avoid cuts in school spending. Willing to lift the state’s ban on Sunday beer sales in exchange for higher tax on beer and liquor. Supports loosening state restrictions on local school districts’ increasing local property taxes.
Carlie Abel
Democrat, Eudora
Age: 50
Family: Married, two children
Education: Attended Pittsburg State University and Kansas University
Occupation: Carpenter
Political and governmental experience: Eudora school board member
Issues: Willing to tax Internet sales, expand gaming and raise tax on beer and liquor. Pro-choice. Willing to raise taxes to avoid cuts in school spending. Opposes loosening state restrictions on local school districts’ increasing local property taxes.
47th District
This district includes all of Jefferson County and part of Atchison County.
Lee Tafanelli
Republican, Ozawkie
Age: 41
Family: Married, two children
Education: Kansas State University, New York State University-Albany
Occupation: Lieutenant colonel in the Kansas Army National Guard, program coordinator with the National Agricultural Bioterrorism Center at Kansas State University
Political and governmental experience: Kansas House, 1990-present
Issues: Would rather give schools more flexibility in their budgeting and day-to-day operations than raise taxes. Says weakened economy won’t support higher taxes. Opposes increasing state tax on high-end incomes. Against calls to use Lottery revenues to fund schools. Supports relaxing restrictions on school districts’ ability to raise taxes. Pro-life.
Bruce Hanson
Democrat, Oskaloosa
Age: 56
Family: Divorced, two children
Education: University of Wisconsin, George Washington University Law School
Occupation: Cattleman, investor, lawyer
Political and governmental experience: None
Issues: Supports raising taxes to avoid cuts in school spending. Not opposed to raising state tax on high-end incomes. Opposed to cuts in in-home programs for senior citizens. Supports dropping state sales tax on groceries. Pro-choice. Opposes lifting local option restriction because it “lets the state off the hook” and shifts the burden back on local property taxes.
53rd District
This district includes southeastern Shawnee County, including part of suburban Topeka, and southwestern Douglas County.
Roger E. Toelkes
Democrat, Topeka
Age: 66
Family: Married, three children
Education: Bachelor of science, Kansas State University; master of science, Emporia State University
Occupation: Retired teacher
Political and governmental experience: One year in the Kansas House, seven years as campaign manager for former Rep. Dixie Toelkes, D-Topeka.
Issues: Favors top-to-bottom review of state budget and review of tax breaks for big business; worries education funding has fallen behind; supports expanded gambling.
Douglas W. Desch
Republican, Berryton
Age: 35
Family: Married, three children
Education: Attended Washburn University and Johnson County Community College
Occupation: Real estate appraiser
Political and governmental experience: None
Issues: Against raising taxes; doubts spending more on schools will improve education; opposes gun control; against late-term abortions; favors clean water but worried government tends to go “overboard” when it regulates.
Franklin County Commission 4th District
Donald C. Hay
Republican, Ottawa
Age: 73
Family: Married, three children
Education: Wellsville High School, 1947; attended Ottawa University, 1949, and Kansas State University, 1950
Occupation: Farmer, retired banker
Political and governmental experience: Franklin County Republican Party chairman, 1976-1984; precinct committeeman, 1972-1984; served as an alternate delegate to Republican National Convention, 1980.
Issues: Promote “honesty and integrity” at commission proceedings; reduce number of commission executive sessions; find a use for condemned Ottawa school building.
Dennis Woolman
Republican (running as write-in), Ottawa
Age: 67
Family: Divorced, one child
Education: Bachelor’s of science degree in agricultural engineering, Oklahoma State University, 1956; Vinita High School, 1952
Occupation: President, Buildex Inc., Ottawa.
Political and governmental experience: Incumbent Franklin County commissioner, having been appointed in August to fill unexpired term of Raymond Carey; member, Franklin County Planning Commission, 1972-76; Ottawa Planning Commission, 1980-84, including one year as chairman; founder of fire district serving much of Franklin County; board member, Franklin County Rural Water District No. 2, 1968-present; chairman, County Highway Improvement Program Committee, 1998-present; board member, Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, two terms, including 1997-2001; treasurer and past president, Expanded Shale Clay and Slate Institute, Salt Lake City.
Issues: Improve quality of life in county by focusing on economic development, working to improve road conditions and coordinating administration of police, sheriff, fire and ambulance services to enhance efforts and save money.
5th District
Chet Leach
Democrat, Rantoul
Age: 55
Family: Married, six children
Education: Lane High School, Lane, 1964
Occupation: Builder; owner, Leach Lumber, rural Rantoul
Political and governmental experience: Lost race for commission seat in 2000.
Issues: Boost efficiency in county’s budget for maintaining and upgrading roads; bolster police protection through increased financing for sheriff’s office; identify and eliminate waste in government, including firing of up to half of county employees.
Donald Stottlemire
Republican, Rantoul
Age: 54
Family: Married, two children
Education: Richmond High School, 1965; received vocational degree from U.S. Trade School, Kansas City, Mo., 1967
Occupation: Franklin County commissioner; co-owner, Tri S Lumber, Rantoul; co-owner, Stottlehoff Homes, Ottawa; owner, Don’s Home Service, rural Rantoul
Political and governmental experience: Member, Franklin County Commission, 2001-present; member, Franklin County Rural Conservation and Development Board, 2001-present; member, Lake Region Solid Waste Authority, 2001-present; member, Franklin County Planning Commission, April 1998-November 2000.
Issues: Preserve and enhance rural fire protection; provide service to growing areas of community; continue expansion of hard-surface roads.
Jefferson County Commission 1st District
Lynn Luck
Republican, Oskaloosa
Age: 53
Family: Married, two children
Education: Shawnee Mission East High School, 1967; attending classes in community development at Kansas University
Occupation: Director, Jefferson County Service Organization, Oskaloosa
Political and governmental experience: Member and past president, Coordinated Transit District No. 3, 1994-present.
Issues: Standardize construction of new roads and maintenance of existing roads; emphasize consistency in land-use and zoning issues; eliminate waste in government and maintain a low tax rate.
Glen Phillips
Democrat, Perry
Age: 59
Family: Married, three children
Education: Topeka High School, 1991; general equivalency diploma, Topeka public schools, 1983
Occupation: Retired security officer, Topeka public schools
Political and governmental experience: Member, Perry-Lecompton school board, three terms since 1982.
Issues: Eliminate government waste; plan for maintenance and expansion of infrastructure, especially roads; support law enforcement to provide a safe community.
Donna Fairbanks
Independent, rural Oskaloosa
Age: 59
Family: Single
Education: Oskaloosa High School, 1961
Occupation: Farmer, state-champion cornhusker
Political and governmental experience: None.
Issues: Bring order to the county’s road plans; improve morale in the county’s road maintenance program; work to reduce property taxes; work to attract new businesses to the area, particularly near Perry Lake.
Leavenworth County Commission 1st District
Donald Navinsky
Democrat, rural Easton
Age: 58
Family: Married, three children
Education: Easton High School, 1961; attended Benedictine College and Kansas State University
Occupation: Leavenworth County commissioner, 1995-present
Political and governmental experience: Leavenworth County commissioner, 1995-present; Easton school board, eight years; USDA Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service committee, 1987-1994; Leavenworth County Extension Service, eight years; board member, Leavenworth Area Development; past president, Leavenworth County Farm Bureau.
Issues: Fight reduction in state transfer funds currently $4.2 million a year to county government; maintain county services without increasing property taxes; encourage growth while minimizing any adverse effects on county residents.
James C. “J.C.” Tellefson
Republican, rural Leavenworth
Age: 49
Family: Married, two children
Education: Bachelor of science degree in journalism, Kansas State University, 1975; Hiawatha High School, 1971
Occupation: Stockbroker and investment counselor
Political and governmental experience: board member, United Way of Leavenworth County, 1997-present; member, Veterans Administration Building Preservation Committee, 1999-present; secretary and precinct committeeman for Leavenworth County Republican Central Committee, 1998-2000.
Issues: Emphasize economic development efforts to attract new jobs to county; make government meetings and processes accessible to county residents; address growth concerns, especially regarding traffic; promote a county interchange on the Kansas Turnpike.
Wakarusa Township Clerk
Trish Eckart
Republican, rural Lawrence
Age: 42
Family: Married, one daughter
Education: Henderson High School, Henderson, Tex., 1978; surgical technology degree, Kilgore College, 1980; associate’s degree in environmental water technology from Fort Scott Community College, 1998; pursuing bachelor’s degree in management, Pittsburg State University
Occupation: Collection systems operator, utilities department, city of Lawrence.
Political and governmental experience: None
Issues: Ensure the township’s money is spent correctly; continue to ensure the fire department has top equipment and up-to-date training.
C.V. Williams
Democrat, rural Lawrence
Age: 64
Family: Married, two children
Education: Washington (Mo.) High School, 1956; learned telegraph at Midwest College of Commerce in Pueblo, Colo., 1958
Occupation: Retired telegrapher, Union Pacific Railroad.
Political and governmental experience: Treasurer, Wakarusa Township, 1973-76.
Issues: Promises to “spend money wisely” on maintaining roads and providing fire protection.