A big night for conservatives in Kansas
Barb ShellyBarring a string of Democratic victories in November, which is possible but just barely, conservative Republicans will take over the Kansas Senate next year.
In Johnson County, moderate Tim Owens lost his seat to Jim Denning. Moderate Pat Colloton’s stellar legislative career has been upended by a loss to Jeff Melcher. Conservative Mary Pitcher Cook won in Shawnee. Greg Smith, a conservative, beat Joe Beveridge. Only moderate Kay Wolf succeeded in holding off a conservative challenge.
If this election was a referendum on Sam Brownback, as advertised, then one can only conclude that the controversial governor has been fully vindicated. In my mind, primary elections are unreliable referendums. They are usually marked by low turnout and participation by particularly intense voters. The results we’re seeing don’t track with Brownback’s low approval ratings in Kansas.
But referendum or otherwise, Brownback is a big winner tonight. He will likely have a Legislature that will do his bidding next year.
The conservative candidates I am familiar with — those in Johnson County — were well-funded and well-organized and they worked really hard. Congrats to them. But I think we’re in for a wild ride in Kansas.
Brian Mehnert
9 months, 2 weeks agoGod Bless America.
George Blake
9 months, 2 weeks agoThere is one saying that I love, because it has turned out to be 99.999% true: “Those that scream the loudest are usually the worst offenders”. I am speaking of the ultra-conservatives. They go around prophesying about God and Country, “How Great Thou Art”, etc. They talk about the “Love of God” and John 3:16, but then they try scaring you and control you with Old Testament “Fire and Brimstone”. I am a Christian, but I consider myself middle-of-the-road. I weigh options and opinions before I act, not just follow what some half-crazed Minister tells me to do. I don’t like ultra-liberals any more or less. An extreme is fraught with problems. No one in a position of power to either extreme has ever solved a problem. In fact, history is full of those who have done more harm to society. Look at Jim Jones, Jimmy Baker, Jimmy Swaggert, etc. All Hippocrates. There are many who run their families and religious beliefs on the fault side of life just to keep people from seeing who and what they really are.