In the Big First District we have a heated primary election contest for the Republican nomination between the incumbent Tim Huelskamp and novice politician Dr. Roger Marshall.
This is already a nasty/dirty race. Let’s take a look at what they are saying about each other.
Huelskamp is attacking Marshall for suggesting a tax on internet purchases; flip flopping on his abortion position and for being a “law breaker” in an advertisement that he has run on this station accusing Marshall of driving away from an accident.
Marshall has to own the tax comment since it came in a debate. He claims he is pro-life which matches the Congressman so he might be guilty of a flip or a flop. The leaving the scene ad is pretty flimsy. Marshall was in an encounter with an unhappy citizen supposedly over a lost bid at the local hospital. After the confrontation Marshall did plead guilty to a misdemeanor traffic charge, but he was not charged with leaving the scene even though that’s what the Huelskamp ad suggests.
Candidate Marshall suggests Huelskamp uses public money for campaign purposes. Maybe, but that’s really the advantage of being a third term incumbent. They claim Huelskamp voted against funding to fight Isis and for pay increases for soldiers at Ft. Riley. The record on these is clear. Most important and factual are the claims that our congressman got himself removed from both the Agriculture and Budget Committees. Huelskamp claims he will be re-seated on the Ag committee, but a lot of damage has already been done.
My belief is the time is right for a change. Huelskamp has had six years to show his worth, but what he has mainly shown is an ability to put himself in conflict with leadership and have an amazing inability to compromise or get along.
It appears to me this kind of belligerent attitude is exactly why the American public has such a low opinion of our congress.
Roger Marshall is a rookie, but he has an impressive background. Not only is he a successful doctor – he also has farming on his resume.
The Primary is August the second and once again we in Kansas have a chance to change. Please don’t miss this opportunity.
I’m Steve Sauder
