Update: Because of recently received information, we are making a recommendation in an additional race. See below for why the editorial board recommends voting for Democrat Stephanie Kelton in the 38th District.

Candidates elected Nov. 4 to the Kansas House will write the state’s laws, decide how to spend its money and help set the direction for energy and health care policy.

Here are The Star’s recommendations in contested area races:

District 14 — Republican incumbent Lance Kinzer, an Olathe lawyer, has designated himself the point person for a number of ultra-conservative causes. He pushed an especially harsh anti-abortion bill last session and has proposed clipping the powers of the judiciary. His Democratic opponent, Aunesty Janssen, is an Internet marketer. While short of political experience, her stands on issues, especially adequate school funding, are much more constructive.

District 15 — Political newcomer Sean Tevis designed a web comic appealing for money to challenge Republican incumbent Arlen Seigfreid in this Olathe district. His solicitation became an Internet hit, and Tevis has raised well over $100,000, mostly in amounts of $10 or less. Even without that coup, Tevis is an impressive candidate. His background promoting efficient energy technologies would be valuable. And Tevis would be much more supportive of adequate school funding than Seigfreid.

District 16 — Republican Jim Yonally was a fine legislator before he was knocked out in a primary two years ago. But his Democratic opponent, Gene Rardin of Overland Park, has gotten off to a fast start after winning election by just two votes in 2006.
Rardin, a retired electrical engineer and small business owner, has worked with Republican lawmakers to co-sponsor bills and has reached out to constituents of both parties. Both candidates are well-qualified, but there is no reason to oust Rardin.

District 17 — Republican Jill Quigley of Lenexa has gotten up to speed quickly since a Republican committee selected her to fill a vacant position in July 2007. Her background as a registered nurse is an asset on issues such as health care financing and a smoking ban. She is the choice over Democrat Ed Coleman and Libertarian Michael Kerner.

District 18 — Democrat Cindy Neighbor, the incumbent, is a reliable vote for good schools, healthy citizens and a clean environment. The same does not appear to be the case with her opponent, John Rubin, who would support the controversial coal-burning plant expansion in western Kansas and work to change the method by which judges are selected. Neighbor, a patient care coordinator, is a better fit for this Shawnee district.

District 19 — The race features two candidates with good experience. Democrat Dolores Furtado, a retired university professor from Overland Park, served four years on the Johnson County Commission. That background and Furtado’s more progressive stance on energy give her the edge over Republican John Skubal, an Overland Park councilman.

District 20 — Republican incumbent Kevin Yoder, a lawyer, is a good fit for his Overland Park district. His Democratic opponent, Gary Glauberman, has not made much of an impact.

District 21 — Republican Kay Wolf has pushed helpful measures related to health care and assistance for declining suburbs. Wolf, a Prairie Village businesswoman, deserves re-election over Democrat Allan Abrams and Libertarian Robert J. McElwain.

District 22 — Democrat Lisa Benlon, government relations director for the American Cancer Society, served 12 years in the Legislature previously, and deserves a second act. She is a strong voice on education and health care and is a much better choice to represent the Overland Park district than the GOP candidate, Joy E. Bourdess, or Libertarian Greggory Nicholas Hahn.

District 23 — Republican August Bogina III’s experience on the Shawnee and Johnson County planning commissions should provide a good springboard for elected office. He is a better choice than Democrat Milack Talia to replace retiring House member Judy Morrison in this district, which covers parts of Merriam and Shawnee.

District 24 — Republican Ronnie Metsker, the recently retired head of a Christian youth organization, has won some fans since stepping in to fill a vacancy early in the term. But Democrat Mike Slattery’s interest in energy and environment policy makes him the more appealing candidate. Slattery, a project manager for J.E. Dunn Construction, has expertise in land use and sustainable development.

District 25 — Republican incumbent Terrie W. Huntington of Fairway is a valuable member of the Johnson County delegation and should be re-elected. Her Democratic opponent is Scott Gregory.

District 27 — Republican Ray Merrick of Stilwell is an incumbent whose positions we frequently take issue with. But he correctly appealed for more of a voice for residents affected by Overland Park’s annexation move this year. And he has the legislative heft to sometimes act as a check on House Speaker Melvin Neufeld. His Democratic opponent, Becky Ansley, seems less knowledgeable on many issues.

District 28 — Republican Pat Colloton, a Leawood lawyer, has notched some impressive legislative accomplishments in two terms. Her work on rehabilitation for inmates is especially impressive. She is a strong choice over Democrat Tyler Holmes.

District 29 — Republican Sheryl Spalding, a former teacher and school board member, is a hardworking freshman legislator with good ideas on education and health care. She is being challenged by Democrat Mike Pener.

District 30 — Incumbent Republican Ron Worley, a retired building codes inspector, provides a sensible vote for his Lenexa district. He is the choice over Democrat Chris Napolitano and Libertarian Mark Darby.

District 38 - Voters have a chance to make a constructive change in this district, which includes Eudora and parts of Lawrence. Democrat Stephanie Kelton, an associate professor of economics, has a background in employment and price stability that would be of great use in the Legislature. Her ability to research and analyze seems tailor-made for the complex issues faced in state government. She is a strong choice over Republican incumbent Anthony Brown.

District 39 — Voters of this district, which includes parts of Shawnee and Wyandotte County, have an opportunity to replace trenchantly conservative first-term House member Owen Donohoe with a highly qualified Democrat, retired principal Joe Novak. Novak has already studied up on the issues and is an excellent choice.

District 40 — Republican Charlie Gregor, recently retired after 25 years as an executive with the Leavenworth Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce, has the right background to succeed retiring legislator Candy Ruff. His Democratic opponent is Melanie Sanders Meier.

District 41 — Democrat incumbent Marti Crow of Leavenworth is respected in Topeka and should be re-elected. She is being challenged by Republican Jana Taylor Goodman.

District 42 — Democrat Timothy Moran, a computer programming executive, would best meet the high standards set for this Leavenworth County district by the retiring Kenny Wilk. The Republican candidate, Connie O’Brien, takes extreme positions and would be a poor choice.

District 43 — Democrat Scott P. Snavely, a junior high history teacher and Spring Hill City Council member, is superbly qualified. He would be a welcome replacement for Republican S. Mike Kiegerl, who seeks to use his office to impinge on the privacy of citizens. Libertarian Sheri Stearns is also in the race.

District 48 — Of the two newcomers vying for this Overland Park seat, Democrat Pam Ippel, a data analyst, is better versed on the issues. She is the choice over Republican Marvin G. Kleeb.

District 49 — Democrat Kristi Boone, owner of Gourmet Solutions in Olathe, is making her first run for office. Her positions on the issues are better than those of Republican Scott Schwab. Boone would have opposed expansion of the coal-burning plant as it was proposed, for instance, while Schwab supported it.
Recommendations for area Kansas Senate seats appeared Sunday. To see them, go to KansasCity.com/opinion.