Topeka Former Atty. Gen. Carla Stovall, a Republican, today endorsed Democrat Paul Morrison for attorney general.
Morrison faces Atty. Gen. Phill Kline, a Republican, in the Nov. 7 election.
"There is a time for partisan loyalty. And there is a time to take a principled stand. Now is that time and I stand with Paul Morrison," Stovall said.
Stovall served as attorney general for two terms, from 1995 through 2002. She was considered a front-runner Republican candidate for governor in 2002 but then dropped out saying she had lost her desire to campaign. She later announced she was getting married.
Stovall's endorsement of the Democrat Morrison represents another setback for Kline in trying to get support from his own party. Kline is considered a conservative Republican, while Stovall was a moderate Republican.
"I am grateful for the support of Gen. Stovall," Morrison said. "She, like myself, always makes the safety of our state her top priority," he said.
Morrison, the Johnson County district attorney, had been a Republican until last year when he switched parties so he could run against Kline in the general election.
Recently, former Atty. Gen. Bob Stephan, also a Republican, left as an assistant to Kline, saying he was disturbed by Kline's use of churches for fund-raising. Kline has denied any impropriety.
Comments
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Baille (anonymous) says…
Are there any nails left to drive into this coffin?
Larzia (Jake Esau) says…
I hope Kline goes down in this election... we need someone level headed in the office of AG.
werekoala (anonymous) says…
Keep it up, extreme right wing. Keep calling them "RINOs" and demanding absolute ideological purity on all issues. Drive out any hint of moderation, of tolerance, of compromise!
The fact that this has historically been a terrible strategy for a ruling party won't deter you, you refuse to learn any lessons from history that don't support you.
All the more reason why you're not fit to govern, and why historical supporters are deserting you in droves.
(Please note - this could apply equally well to the extreme left-wing. Love you guys, but seriously, in 6 years a guy goes from being your party's VP candidate to defeat in the primaries?)
yourworstnightmare (anonymous) says…
The right-wing republicans are apparently pushing too far for the more moderate republicans to put up with them for political expediency. The religious right is indeed a large voting block, but the moderate center is larger.
The democratic party is clearly now the seat of reasoned moderation, whereas the republican right is the seat of extremism, corruption, and divisiveness.
yourworstnightmare (anonymous) says…
This does illustrate just how deep loyalty to a "party" runs. It has nearly taken a purging to show moderate republicans that the republican party no longer represents their values.
Right-wing populism has historically shifted from party to party (in the late 19th and early 20th century, it was with the democrats). It now resides in the republican party. Vote your values, not your party.