The Kansas State Fair kicked off with a debate between two candidates for governor. During the debate Republican Derek Schmidt was asked if Kansas is better off today than it was under former Gov. Sam Brownback. Schmidt refused to answer the question. As a state are we better off? Yes. And I ...

This summer felt like being trapped in a “Groundhog Day” movie — waking up to repeat the same blame-game politics day after day. Republicans blamed the Democratic gubernatorial candidate and current governor, Laura Kelly, for unpopular COVID policies. Democrats blamed the Republican ...

Abortion is on the November ballot in Kansas, at least indirectly. Our judicial and gubernatorial elections are critical for determining whether Kansas moves toward banning abortion long term. But most Kansas voters are pro-choice and just rejected an anti-abortion constitutional amendment. ...

Thomas Jefferson once wrote critically of those who “look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the arc of the covenant, too sacred to be touched.” While he firmly opposed “frequent and untried changes in laws,” he argued that, in the end “laws and ...

How will the residents of Kansas’ “Big First” get along with Lawrence? This is only one of many questions posed by Kansas’ new congressional district map. The Big First is Kansas’ rural, western and central district that stretches to Colorado. In this year’s map, Lawrence is ...

Professors of political science are in a unique position to not only impart academic knowledge, but to build better citizens. I give students the trust, resources, engagement and invitations they need to participate. Then I encourage them to put those civic skills into action. I teach my ...