Meet the candidates
Candidates at Saturday’s Democratic event at the Dole Institute of Politics
• Governor: Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City.
• U.S. Senate: Lisa Johnston, of Overland Park, Charles Schollenberger, of Prairie Village, and Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City, running for the seat held by Sam Brownback.
• U.S. House: Thomas Koch, Leavenworth, running for the 2nd District seat held by Lynn Jenkins.
• Kansas Secretary of State: Secretary of State Chris Biggs and Sen. Chris Steinenger, D-Kansas City.
• State Legislature: Incumbents Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, and Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, as well as Linda Robinson, Lawrence, who is competing for the 45th District seat covering west Lawrence and Lecompton, now held by Tom Sloan.
• Douglas County Commission: Incumbent Mike Gaughan.
Area Democrats got a chance to meet some of their constituents — and make an early plea for their vote — Saturday at the Dole Institute of Politics, 2350 Petefish Drive.
Business cards, handshakes and “nice to meets yous” were given aplenty in the crowd among the 11 candidates and nearly 100 attendees at the event.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Holland, Baldwin City, left, applauds as several Democrats are recognized at the Dole Institute of Politics on Saturday. Holland and other Democrats seeking various congressional, state and local offices spoke to local residents. Next to Holland, from left, are Secretary of State Chris Biggs; Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew, with 14-month-old son David Shew; Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson; and House Minority Leader Paul Davis, Lawrence.
Some candidates were well-known in the area and looking to move up the political ladder, such as Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, who is vying for the governor’s seat. Others were looking to make their names better known, such as newcomer Lisa Johnston, who is competing for Sam Brownback’s soon-to-be vacant U.S. Senate seat.
Event organizer Ed Quick said the event was designed to get an early start on discussions between the public and the Democratic party, with the primary election just a few months away on Aug. 3.
“It’s an opportunity before people get off on vacations,” he said. “Gives them a chance to a see who’s competing for their offices.”
The 11 candidates — some facing opposition within their party, others looking ahead to general election opponents — each had five minutes to speak at the event.
In addition to gubernatorial hopeful Holland, candidates for U.S. Senate, Kansas Secretary of State, state Legislature and Douglas County commission spoke and met with attendees.
Not surprisingly, jobs, the economy, and education — particularly the challenges Lawrence schools have faced — were hot topics.
Lawrence resident Marjorie Cole, a retired Lawrence teacher, said she attended as a chance to meet the candidates and was pleased that primary education was stressed.
“I’m very sensitive to that,” she said.
After the more than an hour of speeches by the candidates, Cole said she felt good about the Democrats’ chances in the general election.
“Absolutely,” Cole said. “I’m very pleased with the crop of candidates.”
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lawrenceguy40 (anonymous) says…
I feel sorry for this group. They have to contend with the national backlash against barry o. I would be surprised if any of them get close to being elected in 162 days.
Of course, that is good news for America.
162
tange (anonymous) replies…
You feel? ... sorry?
Sniffer (anonymous) says…
Isn't the Institute part of KU? Are they allowed to promote candidates? I hope they give equal time to the opponents of these candidates.....
scrapbookmama (anonymous) says…
What a oxymoron...democrates meeting at bob dole hall?
MyName (anonymous) says…
From what it says on the website, politicians from both Democratic and Republican parties are allowed a forum at the institute, although fundraising isn't allowed. Which is pretty much exactly what this event was about, and I'm sure the Republican party can and will host something like it as well (unless they don't want to for some reason).
And from what it looks like right now lawrenceguy40, I'd say most of any "backlash" is more towards incumbents than just being limited to the Democrats, which could mean the Republican primaries will be more interesting than usual in this state.