General Election Survey Responses for Governor

October 30, 2022

Clay Center, KS- With the general election taking place on November 8th, we took this time to reach out to candidates to see what they had to say on some important topics to Kansans.

Seth Cordell, Libertarian Party, is running for election for Governor of Kansas.

– What are the three most important issues facing Kansas and how would you prioritize them?

Supply chain fragility and the barrier to entry for small business can both be solved by easing the regulations and tax burden on small businesses.

Total legalization of cannabis. This would not only be a multi-million dollar win for the state, but allow the hemp industry to flourish

Decentralized power in Kansas. Less power in Topeka and more freedom for counties and cities

– What are your goals for the office?

Economic prosperity through minimal government

– What do you plan to accomplish in your first 30 days? In your first 90 days?

Easing regulations on small businesses is an easily achievable 30 day goal

– What efforts would you support to promote fair election laws that provide for easy access for Kansas voters?

This is an issue that requires more than a sound bite. I will investigate this as voter confidence is very important

– What is your position on expanding Medicaid? Why? Would you be supportive of putting Medicaid Expansion on the ballot?

I believe the issues with our healthcare system stem directly from government interference. I would not support expanding Medicaid.

– What is your position on gun control and the issue of gun violence? What, if any, changes would you propose to current laws?

I’m an ardent supporter of the 2nd amendment and would ensure the state enforces the second amendment protection act

– What role does the Legislature have in providing for public education and ensuring that Kansas students get a first-rate public education in a safe environment?

It should have very little. Independent school districts should decide the curriculum taught in their schools.

– Do you support the formation of a non-partisan committee to address redistricting in Kansas?

Yes

– How do you believe transparency in the legislative process can be improved? Should all proposed legislation have listed sponsors and open hearings with public advance notice to allow for voters input?

Yes. Transparency is key to accountability. Everyone and everything in a position of authority needs to be held accountable.

– What is your position on how Kansas Taxes should be structured?

The only fair tax is a voluntary tax. Such as sales tax on non-essential items. Do you actually own property if the government can take it for not paying them?

– What are your views on a woman’s right to control decisions regarding their own reproductive healthcare?

I would not support further regulations on abortion. I support reasonable sex education programs and contraceptives.

– What are your views on recreational and/or medical cannabis?

Full legalization

– Why should voters cast their ballot for you?

I want to increase the liberties and prosperity of all Kansans. I want to return government power to where it belongs, in the counties and cities. Government is it’s most fair and efficient when done at the local level.

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Derek Schmidt, Republican Party, is running for election for Governor of Kansas.

– What are the three most important issues facing Kansas and how would you prioritize them?

Big-government inflation has made daily life less affordable for every Kansas family. My Plan for a Better Kansas features several items aimed at making life more affordable for Kansans, including proposing a budget that slows the rate of growth in state spending and provides targeted tax relief to Kansans who are hurting.
The flood of fentanyl and other illegal drugs that are flowing over the unsecured southern border is making Kansans less safe. As governor, I will support and work with law enforcement and leaders of other states to provide resources to stop these poisons before they reach Kansas – and provide treatment and recovery support for Kansans with addiction.
The ongoing effects of the COVID lockdowns are still straining our communities – particularly our children. We will never again shut down Kansas schools, a mistake that increased suicidal ideation and the need for mental health interventions, and decreased student achievement.

– What are your goals for the office?

Senator Bob Dole used to tell me, “Kansans will show you the way – just listen.” Over the course of my public service, and especially the months of this campaign, I’ve been listening, and I’ve heard Kansans loud and clear. Many are anxious about the future. They need the cost of daily life to be more affordable. They understand that much of the current “prosperity” in our nation and state is built on unsustainable, liberal government overspending and that those bills will come due. And they want to raise their own kids to reach their fullest God-given potential in a freedom-loving America that respects their family’s values.

Kansans expect sensible, responsible state leaders who put people over party and govern with Kansas Common Sense. We value the fundamentals: families, personal responsibility, opportunity, liberty – and getting things done.

Kansas can and must do better

– What do you plan to accomplish in your first 30 days? In your first 90 days?

I have laid out a Plan of Action for my first 100 days in the Governor’s office, many of which I believe can be accomplished even sooner. My plan is available at https://schmidtforkansas.com/first-100-days-plan/.

– What efforts would you support to promote fair election laws that provide for easy access for Kansas voters?

Kansas lawmakers have done a good job in recent years of making improvements to the security of Kansas elections, including enacting voter ID for both in-person and mail-in voting and placing limits on the number of advance ballots an individual person may deliver to prevent “ballot harvesting.” I encourage our local and state election officials and lawmakers to continue regularly reviewing our election procedures to ensure to the fullest extent possible that in Kansas it’s both easy to vote and hard to cheat.

– What is your position on expanding Medicaid? Why? Would you be supportive of putting Medicaid Expansion on the ballot?

I have long said I consider myself to be an “open-minded skeptic” of Medicaid expansion. Our state government’s top priority should be preserving the Medicaid system for those who need it the most and whom the program was designed for – especially those with disabilities or with dependent children – and that is what I will do as governor. Yet, the expansion plan debated in recent years has focused on extending taxpayer-funded healthcare to able-bodied, working-age adults who do not have children depending on them.

Given the current makeup of the Legislature, it is unlikely that whoever becomes our next governor will see a bill to expand Medicaid land on his or her desk, but in the unlikely event a bill did pass, three conditions would have to be met before I would consider supporting it: The legislation would have to feature honest and clear pay-fors, have an enforceable work requirement, and prohibit any taxpayer funding for abortions through the expanded system.

– What is your position on gun control and the issue of gun violence? What, if any, changes would you propose to current laws?

Every Kansan must be able to exercise their Second Amendment right to defend themselves and their family, inside and outside their home. As attorney general, I have consistently defended those rights as they’ve been under attack, and as governor I will continue to do so. I have proposed a bill to stiffen criminal sentences for repeat violent felons who commit new crimes with firearms – it does not involve targeting law-abiding Kansans and restricting their rights. I have been endorsed in this race by the National Rifle Association and its members, while Governor Kelly is supported and endorsed by Michael Bloomberg’s organization that seeks to ban firearms, and she has supported federal gun control legislation passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by Joe Biden earlier this year.

– What role does the Legislature have in providing for public education and ensuring that Kansas students get a first-rate public education in a safe environment?

Making available a quality education for our children is a top priority. Our Kansas public schools have been constitutionally funded largely since Republicans in the Legislature and former Governor Jeff Colyer enacted a school funding bill in 2018, and I was proud to successfully defend that law before the Kansas Supreme Court. I’ve committed that, as governor, I will continue constitutionally funding our public schools. But funding can’t be where the conversation ends. The extended school lockdowns did tremendous damage to so many of our kids, and strong support is needed to remediate that harm. As governor, I will focus on putting kids and parents first in education, empowering parents to ensure each child gets the education best suited for his or her own needs, regardless of a family’s income or zip code. Kansas kids also deserve to feel safe in our communities and especially in our schools. I’ve laid out a detailed school-safety plan to help more Kansas schools get a School Resource Officer and a Mental Health Intervention Team to protect students, provide funds to assist local school districts in securing their facilities, improve our ability to discover threats before they are carried out, and strengthen penalties for gun crimes committed by repeat violent felons. It’s an overall approach that should garner a bipartisan consensus. My opponent still, in the final days before this election, has offered no plan to keep Kansas kids safe.

– Do you support the formation of a non-partisan committee to address redistricting in Kansas?

Any changes to the procedure for redistricting in Kansas would have to be done by a Constitutional amendment that must be adopted by 2/3 of each chamber of the Legislature and adopted by a majority of Kansas voters. It is unlikely that such a change would meet this high threshold, and as governor, I would have no role in that process. However, I have no objection if the Legislature wants to put such a proposal on the ballot for Kansas voters to decide.

The Kansas Constitution allows the two chambers of the Legislature to set their own rules and procedures, except that final action votes on legislation must be done by a roll-call vote. As governor, I would not interfere with the internal rules and procedures of the Legislative branch. I do encourage the legislative process to be transparent and open.

– What is your position on how Kansas Taxes should be structured?

Under the current administration, overall annual state government spending increased $6 billion in just the past four years – that’s $8,000 more per year that it costs a family of four just to pay for state government. Compounding the problem is the fact we don’t have more taxpayers to pay those bills – the Kansas population is stagnant and actually shrunk in 2021. Fewer Kansans are working in our economy than when the current administration took over in 2019. Kansas taxpayers cannot afford to keep growing government at a record-setting pace with fewer people carrying the load. I will also propose my Retire Tax Free plan to encourage more Kansans to retire here by exempting pensions, Social Security, and dedicated retirement distributions from state income tax. To provide some targeted relief to working families and women in particular, we will exempt diapers and feminine hygiene products from state sales tax. And we will adjust the Homestead Property Tax refund program and the homestead property tax exemption to prevent Kansans from losing their homes because of inflation. Finally, we will pay off more public debt, including shoring up KPERS to protect retirees and save taxpayers millions of dollars in debt-service payments for generations to come. Each of these measures is aimed at relieving the burden on Kansas taxpayers to make life more affordable and make our government more efficient, effective, and sustainable.

– What are your views on a woman’s right to control decisions regarding their own reproductive healthcare?

I am pro-life like many Kansans and prefer a future in Kansas with fewer abortions, not more. Kansans voted on August 2nd and that result must be respected, so my top priority as governor will be defending the existing reasonable regulations already on the books that share broad, bipartisan support across our state. What wasn’t on the ballot in August was my opponent’s position that appears to allow abortion at any time, for any reason, at taxpayer expense; she has declined to identify any limitation, including those already on the books like requirements for parental notification or restrictions on late-term abortion, that she supports.

– What are your views on recreational and/or medical cannabis?

I oppose legalization of illegal drugs, including marijuana, that fuel so much criminal misbehavior in our state. But I recognize that most Kansans, like myself, are sympathetic to narrow circumstances, like late-stage cancer patients and veterans with PTSD, where legitimate medical professionals approve of the limited use of cannabis case-by-case as they do with other controlled substances. If the Legislature decides to move in that direction, I will ensure that the law enforcement community has a seat at the table to develop meaningful guardrails so controlled medical availability does not become an invitation to recreational use as happened in Colorado and Oklahoma.

– Why should voters cast their ballot for you?

Kansas needs a new governor who shares our commonsense conservative values, will defend our liberties and will stand up to the reckless policies of the Biden administration that are making life harder for everyday Kansans. I have done that as your attorney general, and I will do that as your governor. From working diligently to make daily life more affordable, to putting kids and parents first in education, to backing law enforcement and keeping our communities safe,I will work every day to leave our state better than I found it. Kansas can do better – and on my watch as governor, we will. I would appreciate your vote on November 8.

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Laura Kelly, Democratic Party, is running for election for Governor of Kansas.

-What are the three most important issues facing Kansas and how would you prioritize them?

Our economic development success over the past 4 years has highlighted the drastic need for more moderate-income housing, more childcare options for families, and for internet connectivity and affordability all across the state.

During my first term, we completed a statewide housing assessment (first one in 30 years), worked with the legislature to create incentives for developers to build, redesigned some incentives to allow more flexibility in growing the housing stock, and significantly increased the budget of the Kansas Housing Resources Council to spur more housing projects. We will continue these successful investments in my second term.

We also invested heavily in childcare, making it more affordable and allowing more Kansans to enter the workforce. It is my goal to create the most robust early childhood education program in the country. My plan will not only increase childcare access but ensure that all children are getting the world-class education they deserve, including in their early years.

Access to high-speed Internet is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. We have already made significant investments in high-speed internet access, connecting over 70,000 businesses and households, but there’s still more to be done. I’ve proposed commissioning a map to learn where the highest-need areas in Kansas are to continue our record-breaking investments in high-speed internet access. It is my goal that by the end of my second term, every home, school, business, and hospital that wants it will have access to high-speed internet.

-What are your goals for the office?

When I first took office, I inherited years of budget mismanagement and debt that left Kansans to suffer the consequences and pay the price. It resulted from politicians who put their own ideological agenda ahead of what was best for Kansas – and we all remember how that worked out. Chronic underfunding forced students and parents to accept four-day school weeks, budgets so unbalanced they defied common sense, crumbling roads, and deteriorating bridges – Kansas was making national news for all the wrong reasons.

So, I first ran to steady the ship, to make sure Kansas could get back on track after some difficult years – and we got to work. It wasn’t easy, but by working across the aisle and meeting in the middle, we balanced the budget, fully funded our schools, reinvested in our roads and bridges, and cut taxes by over $1 billion – including the food sales tax.

That solid foundation has our economy growing in every part of the state, with a record $13.5 billion in new investments from businesses, including the largest economic project in our state’s history.

I’m proud of our work, but at a time when Kansans are facing rising costs, a lack of high-speed Internet, and workforce shortages – those same old extreme politicians threaten to take us back. We can’t afford that. We must continue to look at the road ahead with a positive, fiscally responsible, and bipartisan vision to make Kansas the best state in the country to live and do business.

In my second term, I will build on our foundation and grow the economy through strategic investments that we know work. This plan includes policies that will help Kansans save more money, strengthen our workforce, grow our economy, and lay the groundwork for investing in our children’s future – without raising taxes.

This interconnected strategic plan will be the blueprint for my second term. Now that we’ve steadied the ship, we’re well-positioned for big things, and our best days are ahead of us. I know that we can make Kansas the very best place to live, work and raise a family.

-What do you plan to accomplish in your first 30 days? In your first 90 days?

This past year, we passed a plan to eliminate the food sales tax. I called for it to take effect immediately, but, unfortunately, the Legislature chose to phase it in over time. On Day 1 of the next Legislative Session, I will send a bill to the Legislature eliminating the food sales tax, all the way, right away. I will also include other necessities in the sales tax elimination, including feminine hygiene products and diapers.

I’ve proposed a plan to expand Medicaid every year since taking office. I’ll propose my fifth plan to the Legislature in January 2023. We cannot wait any longer. We must stop the political games and get this done. Medicaid expansion would expand access to affordable healthcare for over 150,000 hard-working Kansans and boost our economy, creating nearly 23,000 jobs. Kansas has lost out on nearly $6 billion due to our failure to expand Medicaid. We are losing healthcare providers to our neighboring states, all of which have expanded Medicaid.

-What efforts would you support to promote fair election laws that provide for easy access for Kansas voters?

Kansas’ elections have been proven to be safe and secure. In 2022, I signed a bill that strengthened election security, authorizing bi-partisan common sense election security reforms to protect the integrity of elections from things like cybersecurity threats without infringing on people’s right to vote.

-What is your position on expanding Medicaid? Why? Would you be supportive of putting Medicaid Expansion on the ballot?

I have always been an advocate for Medicaid expansion, which would expand access to affordable healthcare for over 150,000 hard-working Kansans and boost our economy, creating nearly 23,000 jobs. Kansas has lost out on nearly $6 billion due to our failure to expand Medicaid. We are losing healthcare providers to our neighboring states, all of which have expanded Medicaid.

-What is your position on gun control and the issue of gun violence? What, if any, changes would you propose to current laws?

I have always been a strong supporter of the second amendment and believe Kansans have the right to own firearms to keep their families safe and to enjoy recreationally. However, like most gun owners, I also recognize the need to balance this with public safety concerns.

I believe that Kansans support common-sense safeguards, and I’ve also called for increased funding for mental healthcare interventions as well as red-flag laws so that people in crisis can get the help they need.

-What role does the Legislature have in providing for public education and ensuring that Kansas students get a first-rate public education in a safe environment?

When I first took office, Kansas public schools were chronically underfunded; our children suffered the consequences. I worked to ensure that every child in Kansas receives the world-class education they deserve.

I brought Democrats and Republicans together to fully fund public schools four years in a row after the state had underfunded schools for nearly a decade. Investing in our public schools is an investment in our future, and during my second term, not only will I continue to fully fund public education, I will also work to expand access to early childhood education, and present a plan to fully fund special education – and other vital programs that improve outcomes.

-Do you support the formation of a non-partisan committee to address redistricting in Kansas?

Yes

-How do you believe transparency in the legislative process can be improved? Should all proposed legislation have listed sponsors and open hearings with public advance notice to allow for voters input?

When I took office, I took the lead of a state government that had, for too long, operated behind closed doors. I took action right away to increase transparency and ensure Kansans know what’s going on here in the Statehouse and throughout state government. I reduced no-bid contracts in order to increase transparency in the procurement process. My administration also worked closely with agencies to ensure compliance with the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) and that any close calls under the law are to be resolved in favor of transparency.

-What is your position on how Kansas Taxes should be structured?

I am a firm believer in the three-legged stool approach to tax policy. It is the only approach that will work for Kansas. It allows for a fair, balanced, and sustainable system that lets us invest in critical services that are crucial to the well-being of Kansans and the fiscal health of our state. I have spent my first term focused on recruiting and expanding business investment and creating and retaining good-paying jobs. That focus has allowed us to expand our tax base and reduce the tax burden for individuals and businesses.

-What are your views on a woman’s right to control decisions regarding their own reproductive healthcare?

I stand with the majority of Kansans who do not want the government involved in their private healthcare decisions. It’s clear that this issue isn’t a partisan issue. Kansans of all political stripes agree that maintaining fundamental rights and leaving private healthcare decisions to women and their physicians are Kansas values.

I will not support any regressive legislation that takes away rights from Kansans or threatens our ability to attract new business to Kansas.

-What are your views on recreational and/or medical cannabis?

I have long supported legalizing Medical marijuana.

Kansas is one of three states that does not permit some form of medical marijuana use. This makes Kansas less competitive and leaves the state at an economic disadvantage. Not only would it benefit Kansas economically, it would also help Kansans with chronic pain and illness, children with severe seizures, and veterans suffering from PTSD.

-Why should voters cast their ballot for you?

When I first took office, our budget was a mess, Kansas public schools were chronically underfunded, and our children suffered the consequences. I worked to ensure that every child in Kansas receives a world-class education.

I brought Democrats and Republicans together to fully fund public schools four years in a row after the state had underfunded schools for decades. Investing in our public schools is an investment in our future, and during my second term, not only will I continue to fully fund public education, I will also work to significantly expand access to early childhood education.

I also balanced the budget, bringing fiscal responsibility back to state government. This fiscal responsibility allowed us to “axe the food tax” and cut property taxes for all homeowners.

Under my leadership, we’ve brought over $14 billion dollars in new business investment to Kansas, and we’ve created and retained over 52,000 jobs. We received numerous prestigious economic development awards including the coveted “Governor’s Cup.”

Kansans want to see our state continue to thrive. In my next term, I will continue fighting to expand Medicaid, increase access to high-speed internet, and expand affordable housing and childcare options to continue growing the economy.