Parkinson reiterates his promise not to run for governor

Oct. 28, 20092:59 p.m.

TOPEKA – Gov. Mark Parkinson predicted that the 2010 gubernatorial race would be competitive – but he won’t be part of it.

Wednesday, Parkinson reiterate his statement that he will not run for reelection. It’s a promise he’s repeated consistently since taking over the state’s top executive spot.

Earlier this month, Kansas Democratic Party Chairman Larry Gates said he would not run for governor. Currently, the party does not have a candidate.

Parkinson said a number of other potential and “very interesting” candidates have surfaced but he wouldn’t name anyone.

“This is one of those things where time will tell and I continue to predict that we will have a strong and competitive candidate for governor,” he said.

By Jeannine Koranda | Tags: , , Filed under Election 2010 | Comments (5)

Brownback announces Secretary of State Thornburgh as campaign co-chair in gubernatorial bid

Sept. 3, 200912:44 p.m.

TOPEKA – Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh will help lead the statewide gubernatorial bid for U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback.

The two men made the announcement Thursday at the Kansas GOP headquarters in Topeka.

“Ron Thornburgh is a model public servant – hard working, effective, principled and honest” Brownback said.

Thornburgh, who had previously contemplated running for governor himself said he and Brownback “share the same priorities… it is time we reinvest in the state of Kansas.”

The four-time secretary of state admitted that working on Brownback’s campaign was not the opportunity he initially anticipated but “I’m OK with that,” he said.

Brownback praised Thornburgh saying his joining the campaign would help unite the GOP across the state.

Both Thornburgh and Brownback said any discussion on whether the secretary of state might later join the campaign as a running mate were premature.

Thornburgh joins John Petersen of Overland Park, the former finance chair for Gov. Bill Graves; Wichita City Councilwoman Sue Schlapp and Garden City Commissioner Reynaldo Mesa as co-chars on the statewide campaign.

By Jeannine Koranda | Tags: , , , , , Filed under Election 2010, Statehouse | Comments (6)

Barnett to announce health care coalition Tuesday in Wichita

July 27, 200911:05 a.m.

TOPEKA – State Sen. Jim Barnett is scheduled to announce his Congressional campaign’s Health Care Coalition Tuesday in Wichita.

“As a citizen and a doctor I have major concerns about the direction the health care debate in Washington is heading,” said Barnett, R- Emporia, in a press statement. “A personal principle of mine is to work towards solutions rather than complaining about the problems.” Read More »

By Jeannine Koranda | Tags: , , , , Filed under Election 2010 | Comments (5)

Ryun endorses Congressman Todd Tiahrt for U.S. Senate

July 16, 20094:47 p.m.

Former Republican Congressman Jim Ryun threw his support behind Congressman Todd Tiahrt’s bid for U.S. Senate.

Ryun represented the 2nd Congressional District until he was ousted by former Rep. Nancy Boyda, a Democrat.

Tiahrt, a Goddard Republican, is running against fellow Republican Rep. Jerry Moran, who currently represents the 1st Congressional District which encompasses most of western Kansas.

The two are hoping to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Republican Sen. Sam Brownback, who is stepping down and running for Kansas governor in 2010.

Below is Ryun’s endorsement letter.

Read More »

By Jeannine Koranda | Tags: , , , , Filed under Election 2010, Republicans, Sam Brownback, Todd Tiahrt | Comments (18)

El Dorado man running for insurance commissioner

June 10, 200910:14 a.m.

TOPEKA – Dave Powell plans to announce his bid for state Insurance Commissioner next week during a two day tour of Kansas.

Powell, 63, and a long-time El Dorado resident will make his initial announcement Monday morning in Overland Park. He will end the day at a Wichita event 4:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Powell started David J. Powell and Associates, LLC in 1998 and provides a variety of insurance options including health, supplemental and life insurance.

In 2002, Powell ran for insurance commissioner but was defeated in the Republican primary.

By Jeannine Koranda | Tags: , , Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (2)