Education funding is a top priority for Harold Fevurly Jr. in the House District 42 race.

Fevurly, of Easton, is the Democratic challenger facing another Leavenworth County resident, Republican incumbent Connie O’Brien of Tonganoxie.

Fevurly, who is 50, said he’s heard several concerns while campaigning door-to-door regarding education funding.

“It’s funded below 1999 levels right now,” said Fevurly, a former Pleasant Ridge USD 449 school board member.

The 65-year-old O’Brien, who is seeking her third term, said the economy is the biggest concern among residents. She pointed to a tax bill that is to lower income taxes effective next July as a step toward helping the economy.

O’Brien, a former teacher, said if re-elected she plans to reintroduce a bill introduced late last session that would provide in-state tuition to veterans.

“We’ve provided for illegal immigrants,” O’Brien said. “We can provide for our own citizens who are veterans.”

Her intentions stemmed from a conversation with a friend who is in the military. The soldier knew of someone who wanted to attend college in his home state, but it did not offer a degree in which he was interested. Kansas University does, but he would have to pay the more costly out-of-state tuition.

“We want to do all we can for our veterans,” O’Brien said. “Everyone talks about that. This is one way we can help them.”

She said an influx of veterans also would in turn help the economy.

Fevurly worked some 28 years with the Department of Corrections in Lansing. He took over as director of facilities and grounds for USD 449, which forced him to resign his post on the school board there.

Though education funding is a top priority, he disagrees with O’Brien on the income tax cut.

“However you look at it, the state has to run,” he said, noting that no one likes taxes, but residents should pay “their fair share.”

“That’s going to trickle down to local school boards, counties and cities,” he said. “The only way to do that is to raise property taxes to make that difference up.”

O’Brien’s endorsements include Kansans For Life, the NRA and Kansas Chamber of Commerce.

Fevurly describes himself as a moderate “straight down the middle.”

Candidate profiles

Harold Fevurly Jr.-D

Age: 50

Married: Wife, Sue

Children: One

Religion: Methodist

Occupation: Director of facilities and grounds, USD 449, Easton; owner and operator of a farm in northern Leavenworth County

Education: Graduate of Leavenworth High School, 1980; graduate of Platte County (Mo.) Area Vocational-Technical School in diesel mechanics and Kansas City Kansas Area Vocational-Technical School in refrigeration and welding hydraulics

Experience: Three years on USD 449 school board, two terms serving on  Leavenworth County Extension Board, Leavenworth County Fair Board and Leavenworth County Beef Improvement Association Board

Quote: “However you look at it, the state has to run. Nobody likes taxes, but to cut taxes for upper third and put the burden on the other two-thirds … everyone should have to pay their fair share.”

Connie O’Brien-R

Age: 66

Occupation: State representative. Previously worked as a teacher and then as a substitute teacher, mainly in special education, before retiring from that field

Married: Husband, Ed

Children: 11

Religion: Catholic

Education: Bachelor’s degree in social studies and secondary education from University of St. Mary in Leavenworth; associate’s degree in liberal arts from Kansas City Kansas Community College

Experience: Elected in 2008 to the Kansas House as the 42nd District representative. Past president of Leavenworth County Republican Women and vice chairwoman of the Leavenworth County Republican Party the past four years. Graduated from Eisenhower Women’s Public Service Series

Quote: “Lowering taxes and making Kansas a more business-friendly state is what we have to do.”