Candidates on both sides of the aisle will also be battling in Tuesday’s primary for a chance to represent Kansas’ 2nd District, which includes Leavenworth County as well as other portions of the eastern portion of the state, in the U.S. House of Representatives. On the Republican side is incumbent Lynn Jenkins, 47, of Topeka, Kan., who will face off against Dennis Pyle of Hiawatha, a 49-year-old farmer and two-term state senator representing the 1st District.
Why are you running for Kansas’ 2nd U.S. Congressional District?
Jenkins: When I was elected to Congress in 2008, Washington was a mess. It is now a full-blown disaster. I believe my strong fiscal conservative record is needed in Washington to cut taxes and reduce the debt. As a certified public accountant I have real-world experience in reducing spending and balancing budgets.
Pyle: Incumbent Lynn Jenkins, in just her first year, spent more money than any other Republican freshman in congress on taxpayer-funded junk mail, spending $422,000 — an average of over $1,100 per day — on taxpayer-funded junk mail. Incumbent Jenkins’ reckless spending put her in the top 2-percent in all of Congress, ranking 9th of 435. Her questionable votes, positions and support from some of the most liberal special interests make it clear she is not a conservative. She is one of nine republicans who voted for taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood. Incumbent Jenkins has had no major votes on 2nd amendment issues while in Congress, however, as a Kansas legislator she voted against conceal carry. Also, she raised taxes on Kansas families and has a lifetime rating of 35-percent with Kansas Taxpayer Network. Jenkins even campaigned and raised money for New York liberal Dede Scozzafava against the Palin, Dobson, Forbes endorsed Hoffman.
In contrast: As a state senator in my second term, having also served in the Kansas House, I have an A+ with both the National Rifle Association and Sportsmen’s Alliance, 100-percent voting record with Kansans for Life — I am endorsed in this race by KFL — have a 100-percent rating with the Kansas Taxpayer Network and was named a “Champion of the Taxpayer” by Americans for Prosperity. I co-sponsored the Health Care Freedom Amendment SCR 1615. I support Rep. Shadegg’s Enumerated Powers Act. I understand reasonable expenditures for communicating with constituents and will not abuse the franking privileges, and when something is campaign related I will pay for it from my campaign funds. This campaign is about getting the truth out concerning incumbent Jenkins’ rhetoric versus her record and the fact that incumbent Jenkins’ walk does not match her talk. I ask for your vote on August 3.
What are the major issues you see facing the country today? What are your plans to address those issues?
Jenkins: As I travel Eastern Kansas, folks are telling me jobs, taxes, and the overall fiscal disaster in Washington are their concerns. We need to lower the tax burden on individuals and small business, cut government spending, stop bailouts, repeal the healthcare bill, and reduce the scope of the federal government.
Pyle: The out of control growth of the federal government is the greatest domestic policy issue facing the United States. The excessive spending and overall lack of accountability has to stop. We need to begin dedicating a specific percentage of revenue to debt retirement. I support performance or zero-based budgeting with a focus being constitutionally enumerated federal government responsibilities only.
Repeal Obama care so it has no effect. Nowhere in the constitution is health care enumerated as a function of the federal government.
The absence of enforcement of federal law dealing with illegal immigration; we need to respect state laws like Arizona’s, finish building the border fence, say no to amnesty, and re-evaluate birth-based citizenship.
Why are you the best candidate to represent Kansans in the 2nd congressional district?
Jenkins: I’ve done exactly what I said I would do and folks know if I’m re-elected, I’ll continue to fight Washington’s liberal agenda. That is why I am endorsed by senators Brownback and Roberts, congressmen Moran and Tiahrt, the American Conservative Union, the NRA and conservative leader Newt Gingrich.
Pyle: I am an undisputed conservative and have been rated such by every group that rates. I am a fourth-generation Kansas grain and livestock farmer. I have worked and managed our family farm since 1982. My wife Jennifer and I have been married for 30 years and have six daughters, ages 13-26. I served in the Kansas House prior to getting elected to the Kansas Senate and am in my second term in the Kansas Senate. I am seeking the endorsement of the Kansas voters and am confident if voters study the issues and the candidates and are a true conservative, I can earn their vote. Kansas deserves better than representatives with just an “R” beside their name, Kansans deserve to be represented by conservatives. It is understandable when states like Massachusetts elect moderates like Scott Brown, and thank goodness they did, but if red states like Kansas can’t send true conservatives to Congress, what hope do we have?
Three Democratic candidates will square off in the primary in order to move on to the November general election and face the winner of the contest between Jenkins and Pyle. The candidates are Thomas Koch, 48 of Leavenworth; Cheryl Hudspeth, a 56-year-old retired community development specialist from Girard; and Sean Tevis, a 40-year-old Olathe-based Web designer and information architect.
Koch was the only candidate from the Democratic side to return his questionnaire as of deadline.
Why are you running for Kansas’ 2nd U.S. Congressional District?
Koch: I wanted a candidate who would take a strong stand against Reaganomics and who would stand up for lower income working people. I also thought a candidate would have a better chance to win if they started earlier. I had thought about running for County Commission, but felt my knowledge of the federal budget issues made me a stronger congressional candidate.
What are the major issues you see facing the country today? What are your plans to address those issues?
Koch: To me the big issues of budget, economy and jobs are all tied up in Reaganomics. This supply-side theory was tried almost 30 years ago and again with the Clinton and Bush tax cuts and it has failed. It has made our society more unequal, has created large budget deficits and is a large part of the recession of 2008.
Why are you the best candidate to represent Kansans in the 2nd congressional district?
Koch: As a working person I can see laws from the view of "what is good for the ordinary working person" and my education in economics helps me to analyze things with "who benefits" and "who pays" and is it worth the cost.
Leavenworth, Kan. —
