Observations and thoughts about some of the contested political races in Kansas, Douglas County and Lawrence :

Pat Roberts has been an excellent U.S. senator, representing the residents of Kansas and he should be re-elected. His commitment to safeguarding this country and his work on behalf of the best interests of his fellow Kansans is a matter of record.

Two U.S. House members represent Lawrence and Douglas County. Nick Jordan of Johnson County will do an excellent job of conveying the concerns, ideas and beliefs of those living on the eastern side of Lawrence and Douglas County, and Lynn Jenkins of Topeka will do a top-flight job for those living in the western areas of the city and county.

At the state level, Scott Morgan will provide strong, active representation in the Kansas Senate. His opponent, Marci Francisco, is a bright, charming individual but has not given local residents the kind of legislative representation they need and deserve.

Tom Sloan’s stature continues to grow among his constituents and his fellow lawmakers in Topeka and he is looked to as a highly informed and active lawmaker in the fields of energy, power, telecommunications and the environment. He does a good job and deserves the support and votes of those in his legislative district.

Jim Flory is well known in this area and has compiled a solid record as a former Douglas County district attorney and a federal prosecutor. He certainly would be an able member of the Douglas County Commission.

The Kansas State Board of Education currently has a tenuous 6-4 majority of members who support the current science standards that include the teaching of evolution in Kansas schools. One of those six is Bill Wagnon, who is not running for re-election in District 4 seat, which covers much of Lawrence. Carolyn Campbell of Topeka, a candidate for that seat, has pledged to support the existing science standards if elected to the board. Her opponent has been less clear about his stand on the science standards and has been endorsed by the Kansas Republican Assembly, a conservative group that has endorsed other board members who fought to teach alternatives to evolution.

All candidates, those who receive the most votes and those who don’t, incumbents and challengers alike, deserve our thanks and appreciation for their willingness to be a candidate for public office. Being a candidate requires substantial sacrifice because a campaign takes time, money and attention away from family and business matters.

It is critical that honest, properly motivated and knowledgeable individuals are encouraged to seek public office. Once they make the commitment to seek an office, they deserve the work and support of those who urged them to enter the political scene.

Again, thanks to all those who entered primary and general election contests. Whether or not they win, they all deserve the thanks of those interested in good, sound, representative government.