Four Wichita incumbent Democrats — Judith Loganbill, Gail Finney, Nile Dillmore and Ponka-We Victors — have filed to run for re-election to the state House of Representatives, the state Democratic Party announced today.
Loganbill and Dillmore have both served six two-year terms in the Legislature; Finney is a two-term incumbent and Victors is seeking her second term.
Loganbill
Loganbill, a reading resources teacher, represents the 86th District in south-central Wichita.
She serves as ranking minority on the Federal and State Affairs Committee and as a member of the Education and Government Efficiency committees in the House and on the Joint Committee on Kansas Security. In the House, Loganbill is known as a strong voice for Democratic positions on women’s and children’s issues.
“Working families and schoolchildren need a strong advocate in the Kansas Legislature, and I intend to continue my service and advocacy in the 2013 legislative session,” Loganbill said in a statement announcing her candidacy.
John Stevens, the Wichita Pachyderm Club president, has filed to run as a Republican opposing Loganbill. Stevens lost to Loganbill in 2008 and 2010.
Finney, who owns a small marketing company and the 24 Rent To Own furniture store with her husband Jerrold, represents the northeast Wichita-based 84th House District and is an advocate for small business.
Finney
She serves on the Commerce and Economic Development, Energy and Utilities and Vision 2020 committees.
“I have been focused on helping small businesses succeed and prosper,” she said in her campaign announcement. “I want to continue this effort to ensure that the Kansas economy keeps growing.”
Dillmore serves as ranking minority on the Taxation Committee and was leading opponent to Gov. Sam Brownback’s plan to relieve business income taxes, which he said was irresponsible and favored the rich over middle-class and poor Kansans.
Dillmore
House Minority Leader Paul Davis, D-Lawrence, praised Dillmore as “one of the leading proponents in the Kansas Legislature for fair and fiscally responsible tax reform.”
Dillmore, a development specialist with the Mid American Credit Union, also serves on the Energy and Utilities and General Government Budget committees in the House, and on the Joint Committee on Information Technology.
He represents the 92nd District in central Wichita.
Dillmore is being challenged by Republican John Whitmer, a businessman who operates a convention and events company called KanCon. Dillmore has challenged Whitmer’s residency, but Whitmer said he has recently moved into the district and is eligible to run.
In central Wichita’s 103rd District, Victors has yet to face a contested election. The handpicked successor to former Democratic Rep. Delia Garcia, Victors was unopposed in the 2010 election that put her in the House.
Victors
Victors serves on the Federal and State Affairs, Agriculture and Natural Resources and Judiciary committees. The first Native-American woman in the House, she also serves on the Joint State-Tribal Relations Committee.
“It is important to create jobs, provide a quality education for our Kansas kids, and ensure safe neighborhoods in the community,” Victors said. “As the third generation of my family to live in District 103, I have seen firsthand how important these investments are. I want to continue to sit at the table and help make decisions about these issues.”
The primary election is Aug. 7 and the general election, Nov. 6.