A Kansas House district that represents large parts of southern Lawrence suddenly became open when its incumbent launched a bid to join the Kansas Senate. Now, a pair of Democrats are vying for the seat.

Kansas House District No. 10 includes nearly all the Lawrence city limits south of 15th Street and east of Iowa Street. It is currently held by Rep. Christina Haswood, but she chose not to seek reelection to the House. Rather, she is campaigning for a Kansas Senate seat.

No Republican filed for the seat, meaning the winner of the August primary between Suzanne Wikle and Zachary Hawkins is likely to take the seat. Here’s a look at the two candidates.

Zachary Hawkins

Multiple attempts to reach Hawkins were unsuccessful. According to his campaign website, he is a Topeka native who now lives in Lawrence and is completing a chemistry degree at KU.

“I will be the first to admit that I do not have a political background, however I think it is important that everyday citizens get involved in the political system,” Hawkins said on his website. “Together, let us demand accountability, transparency, and real progress from our elected officials.”

On his website, he said protecting abortion rights, transgender rights and creating true campaign finance reform were among the issues that would be important to him as a lawmaker.

photo by: Submitted

Suzanne Wikle

Suzanne Wikle

With a masters in social welfare from KU, Wikle has become a professional advocate for policies related to children and families. She currently works with a network of advocate groups across the country on issues related to economic security for families. In Kansas, she may be best known for efforts related to reducing infant mortality rates, strengthening child care provider licensing and increasing eligibility for a children’s health insurance program while working for the Kansas Action for Children organization.

But also on the resumé is the title of mom of two. She and her husband have one child in Lawrence schools and another in child care. That perspective, she argues, is important for the Kansas Legislature.

“I understand the financial stress caused by the cost of child care that leads to impossible decisions for families,” Wikle told the Journal-World via email. “I also have the policy knowledge to help solve these problems.”

Wikle also said she’s “not seeking office to be an ideologue,” and said she was confident in her ability to build bridges. But she also said there are some issues where compromise and bridge building aren’t possible, noting reproductive rights and school funding as examples.

“In those situations, if the position I take does not prevail in the majority, it’s important to vocally oppose and help hold those on the other side accountable,” she said.

In response to a Journal-World questionnaire, Wikle listed three issues she would fight the hardest to support as a legislator.

• Affordable and accessible health care. She said that includes Medicaid expansion, abortion and reproductive health care, and “common sense gun laws.”

• Fully supporting education systems. That involves fully funding special education and K-12 operation, and also supporting higher education, she said. “Beyond funding, I will advocate that legislators trust teachers and push back against efforts to micromanage the classrooms or schools,” she said.

• Relieving economic stress. She said the state needs to shore up its safety-net system, and also needs to do more to support workers and unions, while also restructuring the tax system “so that the wealthiest pay their fair share and property taxes are less of a burden for our seniors.”