Daily Archives: May 24, 2010

KWCH poll shows Moran with big lead over Tiahrt, Londerholm in GOP Senate race

May 24, 20107:30 p.m.
Moran

Moran

A new poll shows Rep. Jerry Moran with a strong lead over Rep. Todd Tiahrt for the Republican primary in the race to succeed Sen. Sam Brownback, KWCH-TV is reporting.

The new poll, commissioned by KWCH Eyewitness News and conducted by the polling firm SurveyUSA, shows Moran, R-Hays, favored by 52 percent to Tiahrt, R-Goddard’s 29 percent.

Robert Londerholm, a former Kansas attorney general, polled at 4 percent.

Tiahrt

Tiahrt

The race offers a rare shot at an open seat to replace Brownback, who is leaving the Senate to run for governor.

The poll represents a 10-point increase for Moran and a three-point slip for Tiahrt since an identically worded poll was conducted for the station two months ago.

Tiahrt outpolled Moran in the southeastern part of the state, while Moran ran stronger in western and northeastern Kansas.

The survey of 522 likely GOP primary voters was conducted May 21-23 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

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Governor signs bill banning texting while driving

May 24, 20104:08 p.m.

TOPEKA – The governor on Monday signed a bill that bars all drivers from texting while driving.

The measure, House substitute for Senate Bill 300, allows law enforcement officers to pull over drivers who are sending, received or reading text messages or emails on their wireless devices.

Until Jan. 1, 2011 officers will be handing out warning tickets, but after that the office will come with a $60 fine.

“As we head into Memorial Day weekend and the summer, one of the busiest driving times for Kansans, I am please to sign this legislation that will encourage more aware drivers and save Kansas lives,” said Gov. Mark Parkinson, a Democrat, in a written statement.

The measure, which was passed in the final days of the session, also:

  • Creates a $60 fine for covering a vehicle licenses plate with any material that affects the plate’s visibility or reflectivity.

  • Bars people younger than 18 from operating or riding a motorcycle or motorized bike without a helmet or eye protection.

  • Extends the operational life of a school bus from 20 to 25 years.

The law goes into effect when it is published in the Kansas Register, which is published every Thursday.

Parkinson also signed Senate Bill 368 which modifies the state’s drunken driving laws.

Under the new law, which goes into effect upon publication in the Kansas Register, drivers convicted of a second DUI will face a year-long suspension of their driving prickliness.

After 45 days, the suspension can be modified to allow the driver to drive in a car with an ignition interlock device to and from work, school, treatment and to the interlock provider.

After the first year, the driver would not be restricted in where they could drive, but would have to keep the ignition interlock device on the car for another 12 months.

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Whipple campaign calls on Hermanson to resign legislative seat.

May 24, 20101:27 p.m.

TOPEKA – Brandon Whipple’s campaign is calling for his opponent, incumbent Rep. Phil Hermanson, to resign.

“There is no excuse for his actions and our community deserves better representation,” said Whipple said in a written statement released Sunday.

Hermanson, a Wichita Republican who is finishing up his first year in office, is scheduled to go on trial Wednesday to face charges of driving under the influence and failing to slow to avoid an accident that injured two women in November.

For the full story on the incident, which ran Sunday, click here.

Whipple, a Democrat, is challenging Hermanson, a Republican, for the 96th District, which includes Southwest Wichita.

Initially, Whipple, 27 and a substitute teacher in the Wichita School District, said he was appalled by the incident and the voters would have to decide how it would impact the election.

Sunday, his campaign released a stronger statement.

“After hiding his arrest from the voters for seven months, Hermanson’s moral character is in doubt. The Whipple campaign is calling for Hermanson’s resignation,” the release said.

For more, read Tuesday’s Wichita Eagle.

The full text of Whipple’s statement is below:

HERMANSON SHAMES THE 96TH DISTRICT, WHIPPLE CAMPAIGN CALLS FOR RESIGNATION

Candidate Brandon Whipple is outraged by the actions of State Representative Phil Hermanson, hiding an arrest, DUI charges and injuring two Kansans. According to a Wichita Eagle article, Hermanson (R-96) was arrested last November for driving under the influence after a wreck that put Kansas residents Kathy Spencer, then 46, and Mary Sheppard, then 77, in the hospital. Spencer has yet to fully recover.

Whipple’s thoughts and prayers go out to Kathy and Mary. “Phil Hermanson chose to put our community at risk and hid his arrest for more than six months,” said Whipple. “There is no excuse for his actions and our community deserves better representation.”

After hiding his arrest from the voters for seven months, Hermanson’s moral character is in doubt. The Whipple campaign is calling for Hermanson’s resignation.

Brandon Whipple is the Democratic candidate for the Kansas House of Representative in district 96 and a substitute teacher for Wichita Public Schools.

Additional information about Brandon Whipple can be found on his campaign website at www.WhippleForKansas.com. To request additional comments on this story call 316-214-9943.

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