Archive for Tuesday, February 24, 2009
As lawmaker is deployed to Iraq, her former opponent will fill her House seat
February 24, 2009
Advertisement
A newly elected state lawmaker from Leavenworth who has been called to active duty in Iraq will be replaced in the Kansas Legislature by her former opponent.
Democratic precinct officials in Leavenworth County voted 5-1 last night to replace state Rep. Melanie Meier, D-Leavenworth, with Don Navinsky, a former Leavenworth County commissioner.
Meier defeated Navinsky in the Democratic Party primary last August.
Meier, who is a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, had wanted former state Rep. Candy Ruff to take her place until she returned in January 2010.
Ruff criticized the five precinct officials who voted for Navinsky against Meier’s wishes, saying Navinsky was planning to challenge Meier again when she returned. “This is no way to treat this brave Army officer as she puts her life on the line for her country,” Ruff said.
Navinsky said he would step aside when Meier returns but refused to promise that he would not run against Meier in the 2010 primary.
More like this
- Ruff Deployment gives opponent political advantage February 24, 2009
- Lawmaker called to duty in Iraq 1 comment / February 12, 2009
- State representative from Leavenworth to be deployed to Iraq February 11, 2009
- Tafanelli back from Iraq, wants to return to the Kansas House December 22, 2005
- Soldier wants House seat back December 23, 2005
Top ads RSS
- Floor Tech/Floater Sun.-Thurs., 2-4 hrs. per night, start at 5:00 ...
- Tonganoxie Nursing is now hiring for: LPN-Part Time 2PM-10PM & ...
- NEUVANT HOUSE of Lawrence Personal Memory Care Seeking Administrator for ...
- Part-time CNA needed immediately to help our elderly clients in ...
- Schwans Home Service now hiring starting at $32,000 a yr. ...
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- Obama is a unique president for a unique time November 29, 2009 · 30 comments
- Mangino not living on his knees November 29, 2009 · 33 comments
- Blog: If This Is The End, How Will Mangino Be Remembered? November 29, 2009 · 46 comments
- On the street: Have you ever felt like a restaurant staff tried to rush you? November 30, 2009 · 3 comments
- Suicide numbers climbing November 29, 2009 · 30 comments
- On the street: What audition or tryout scared you the most? November 30, 2009 · 1 comment
- Jobless recovery will haunt Democrats November 29, 2009 · 38 comments
- Miserable ending November 29, 2009 · 33 comments
- FINAL: Ressel's last-second field goal gives MU 41-39 victory over KU November 28, 2009 · 89 comments
- Two arrested after altercation at Henry's November 29, 2009 · 32 comments
- Lawrence church continues offering joy of the nativity November 29, 2009
- KU teams hone ultimate Frisbee skills November 29, 2009
- Long, winding road leads to 'family' March 11, 2001
- Suicide numbers climbing November 29, 2009
- Lawrence women's chorale announces holiday concert November 29, 2009
- 6News reporter decides to follow father’s footsteps November 28, 2009
- Strip deals wry Pearls of wisdom December 24, 2006
- EXCESSIVE SILT STILL A PROBLEM WITH WATER IN RURAL DISTRICT January 8, 1990
- Victim ID’d in fatal car-cycle crash November 29, 2009
- Poet's Showcase November 29, 2009
24 February 2009
at 11:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Keith (Anonymous) says…
Who had the right to choose her replacement and did they exercise that right? If so, the rest is sour grapes, boo hoo, I didn't get picked. Politics ain't beanbag.
24 February 2009
at 11:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
KansasVoter (Anonymous) says…
I don't think that this is sour grapes. It sounds more like dirty pool to me. If Navinsky had any integrity he would promise not to run in 2010.
24 February 2009
at 12:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
appleaday (Anonymous) says…
Politics ain't beanbag — it's good old boy.
24 February 2009
at 2:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
keep_it_real (Anonymous) says…
As one of the 5 decision makers, I came into the meeting last night with an open mind as to who to select as the best representative for our 40th District interests.
I wholly respect Ms. Meier's call to duty in the capacity of a soldier in a war zone, and wish for her safety and well-being while deployed.
I had read Ms. Meier's mailings to me, had listened to Ms. Ruff's voice mail and read her letter, and took a phone call from Don Navinsky in which he spoke of his previous political experience and desire to serve in this position as our representative from the 40th District. Both candidates have a long history of public service, albiet in different capacities. I considered all the information.
I had been out of town most of the last three weeks, so was unaware of any previous press regarding the process of selecting Ms. Meier's replacement.
Quite frankly, I selected Mr. Navinsky only after Ms. Ruff's speech and responses during the meeting seemed primarily focused on attacking Mr. Navinsky's character. I wondered why the attack was so virulent, and I was stunned by it.
I read Ms. Ruff's article in this on-line paper today, and note that it closed with “these five people have a lot to answer for.” I stand by my decision. I could not in good conscience follow Ms. Meier's endorsement, no matter how much I wanted to do just that when I entered the meeting with an open mind ready to consider the additional facts to be presented by the candidates before making the final decision. It was Ms. Ruff's attacks on Mr. Navinsky that changed my mind in the course of the hour long meeting. Simple as that.