When a Kansas legislator rises to the highest position in the National Conference of State Legislatures, it would seem to be a good thing for Kansas. But former Kansas House Speaker Melvin Neufeld of Ingalls was president-elect of the national group when he lost his House seat in a GOP primary two years ago. And last week Senate President Steve Morris (in photo), R-Hugoton, was unseated by primary challenger Rep. Larry Powell, R-Garden City, while Morris was in Chicago serving as the NCSL’s president. Morris told the Huffington Post that he didn’t regret attending the NCSL annual meeting because he’d done all he could do for the primary. “I hope the electorate, when they see what happens with ultraconservatives, they decide that is not what they want,” Morris said.
One of the less-noticed outcomes of the GOP primary will provide Wichita and the state with the benefit of two experienced, informed voices on the Kansas State Board of Education. In District 8, retired USD 259 assistant superintendent Kathy Busch (in photo) easily defeated one-term incumbent Walt Chappell. And in District 10, former Wichita Northwest and Northeast Magnet high school principal Jim McNiece won an uncontested race to succeed current board chairman David Dennis of Wichita. No Democrats filed in either race. Both Busch and McNiece will bring a lot of knowledge to the table as the board deals with new curriculum standards and the state’s No Child Left Behind waiver.
The Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce chose wisely for its Nov. 12 annual meeting, inviting former Defense Secretary Robert Gates to be the featured speaker. Besides his respected record of public service under eight presidents, Gates is a native Wichitan and a 1961 graduate of East High School. The event’s meaning will be all the greater because of its proximity to Veterans Day and theme of honoring the U.S. military. When he addressed East High’s commencement three years ago, Gates said, “I believe a Kansas upbringing imparts qualities that have been a source of strength for me over the years: an enduring optimism and idealism, a love of country, and dedication to citizenship and service.”
“There are probably a lot of moderates out there today saying they probably should have voted before leaving on that trip to Colorado.” – former Democratic Gov. John Carlin (in photo), in the Salina Journal, on the conservative victories in Kansas Senate primary races last week
“Primary election in KS – go vote, conservatives! Liberals, just stay in your recliners watching CNN!” – Vicki Holland Tiahrt, wife of former congressman Todd Tiahrt, tweeting Tuesday
“We really don’t need a Democratic wing of our party.” – Jeff Melcher, one of the five conservative victors in six state Senate races in Johnson County
“This is a red state, right? It’s like the slow class.” – Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, to Associated Press, suggesting Kansas is lagging on such conservative priorities as curbing unions’ political influence, public pension reform and school choice
“Care about schools, jobs and fairness? Come on over.” – Kansas Democratic Party, tweeting Wednesday
When a Kansas legislator rises to the highest position in the National Conference of State Legislatures, it would seem to be a good thing for Kansas. But former Kansas House Speaker Melvin Neufeld of Ingalls was president-elect of the national group when he lost his House seat in a GOP primary two years ago. And last week Senate President Steve Morris (in photo), R-Hugoton, was unseated by primary challenger Rep. Larry Powell, R-Garden City, while Morris was in Chicago serving as the NCSL’s president. Morris told the Huffington Post that he didn’t regret attending the NCSL annual meeting because he’d done all he could do for the primary. “I hope the electorate, when they see what happens with ultraconservatives, they decide that is not what they want,” Morris said.
