Kansans will have some real choices when they vote in the November general election.

Whatever else can be said about the 2002 general election campaign, it does offer Kansas voters clear and viable choices.

The lack of an incumbent in the governor’s race shuffled the deck for state officeholders and resulted in interesting, competitive contests between two strong, savvy candidates in several key races.

The governor’s race pits two long-time officeholders against each other. Democrat Kathleen Sebelius and Republican Tim Shallenburger both have significant experience in the Kansas Legislature as well as in state-level office. They are seasoned, qualified candidates who present some clear philosophical choices for Kansas voters. It’s a race that is stirring some passionate debate among voters, both Republicans and Democrats, which is a healthy aspect of a democratic system.

When Sebelius and Shallenburger decided to run for governor, they left their positions as state insurance commissioner and state treasurer behind. That opened the field for contenders in both parties.

The insurance commissioner’s race pits two other experienced state legislators against one another. Republican Sen. Sandy Praeger of Lawrence and Democratic Rep. Jim Garner of Coffeyville both have held leadership positions in their respective houses. They have a record voters can look at and evaluate. Again, they offer voters a clear choice between two candidates who are qualified to serve.

The same is the case for the candidates seeking to replace Shallenburger. If elected, Democrat Sally Finney would be following in the footsteps of her mother, the late Joan Finney, who served 16 years as state treasurer before being electing governor. Lynn Jenkins of Topeka is a certified public accountant and a member of the Kansas Senate. Finney cites her experience working in her mother’s administration and her work since then as an advocate of health care issues. Again, two sound candidates.

Although Atty. Gen. Carla Stovall no longer is seeking the governor’s office, she will retire as attorney general leaving that office open. The race between Republican Phill Kline and Democrat Chris Biggs offers perhaps the greatest philosophical contrast on the statewide ballot.

Kline is a former state legislator from Johnson County and ran unsuccessfully for the 3rd District congressional seat two years ago. He is an attorney with a limited practice and represents the conservative, pro-life wing of the Republican Party. Biggs hasn’t been as active in state government, but he has actively used his law degree for 14 years as the Geary County prosecutor in Junction City. Both are strong candidates in an important race that is drawing considerable attention around the state.

It was particularly disappointing this year to have so many seats in the Kansas Legislature elected by default because no one filed to run against incumbent legislators. The incumbent advantage is so great that it too often results in voters not being given viable choices on the election ballot.

In the race for governor, attorney general, insurance commissioner and state treasurer, there is no incumbent advantage, leaving the field wide open. Regardless of which candidates you support or which candidates win, Kansas can be proud of the fact that its general election ballot will provide a slate of strong, qualified candidates. Hopefully the philosophical differences those candidates bring to the table will energize Kansas voters to go to the polls and register their opinion.