By Forest Lassman
Gubernatorial and congressional races highlight 2014 elections
Kansas, known historically as a Republican stronghold, has many close campaigns this year.
In the gubernatorial race, Democrat Paul Davis, and Libertarian candidate Keen Umbehr look to challenge current Republican incumbent Sam Brownback.
Most polls show Brownback and Davis close or tied in the polls.
Logan Cleveland-Soter is planning to vote for Davis. “I don’t think Sam Brownback has been doing a very good job. There has been a lot of experiments he’s been trying to do that haven’t been working, and we’re in a lot of debt.”
The experiment Cleveland-Soter referred to were a series of tax cuts, which eliminated income tax for many small businesses to stimulate job growth. This plan was not as effective as it was expected to be, helping to create an opportunity for Davis.
One strange event in this race occurred when Davis was endorsed by the organization, Republicans for Kansas Values, which consists of over 100 current and former Republican officeholders.
Even with this support, many think Davis has not done enough to define his views this election, and polls have shown Brownback gaining support as election day comes closer.
Another close contest is the race for the U.S. Senate. Incumbent Republican Pat Roberts, Independent Greg Orman and Libertarian Randall Batson battle for the seat.
Democratic nominee Chad Taylor withdrew from the race earlier this year, and after many legal battles was taken off the ballot. Because of this, the Democrats are not running a candidate this year.
Brian Wright, finds this fact strange, but not entirely surprising. “[In Kansas], an independent probably would fair better in a general election than [a Democrat]. This is a Republican state,” said Wright.
Orman is running as an outsider, arguing that current Washington politics have failed Kansas. Roberts blames these failures on the Democrats, and has tried to paint Orman as no different from Obama.
Kevin Yoder also faces a tough challenger for the 3rd Congressional district against former state senator Kelly Kultala.
Wright finds these close elections intriguing. “I think the most interesting trend is throughout the Midwest, how close the elections are. Pat Roberts has the toughest election he’s ever had, and Brownback has a tough election. Congressman Yoder has a election [also]. It doesn’t mean they’ll lose, but they have serious challengers out there. That’s an indication that people are not happy with the status quo throughout the Midwest,” said Wright.
Many students around the school are still undecided, and Blake Thomas is one of those.
“I haven’t done much research into it. I usually do that the day of,” Thomas said. “I usually end up voting more Republican, but…. I’ll vote for whoever I agree with, instead of just committing to a party.”
Even though elections are close in the Midwest, Republicans are expected to gain seats in the Senate, Wright said.
Election day occurs Nov. 4, and a full list of candidates can be found online.
Contact Forest Lassman, copy editor, flassman.jccc.edu