The Lyon County Democrats held their annual potluck dinner and fundraiser Sunday evening at the Emporia Senior Center.
Residents got to hear from gubernatorial candidates Arden Andersen, Jack Bergeson and Carl Brewer along with Lt. Governor candidate Lynn Rogers (from Laura Kelly’s campaign) and a representative from Josh Svaty’s campaign. Svaty had a scheduling conflict and was unavailable Sunday.
It was also an opportunity for Lyon County voters to hear from Alan LaPolice, who bills himself as a moderate Democrat. LaPolice, who’s unopposed in the August primary, will battle Roger Marshall for the first congressional district seat in November. LaPolice explains how he plans to appeal to conservatives in the district moving forward.
LaPolice says he favors a public option for the Affordable Care Act which he says would create a free market way to control the rising cost of healthcare. He also says it’s time to mend the deep divides in our nation’s politics.
As for the governor candidates, each views education funding differently. Arden Andersen says funding education means focusing that money on giving teachers the extra resources they need in the classroom.
Former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer says with the state’s growing debts, they need a revenue stream to pay for it. That’s why he’s interested in reversing corporate tax cuts made over the past eight years.
One candidate who comes at the education funding issue differently than his opponents is current high school student Jack Bergeson of Wichita. He supports non-conventional revenue streams to fund Kansas’ public education system.
Bergeson also supports getting rid of the retail sales tax on food in Kansas.
In terms of KanCare Lieutenant Governor candidate Lynn Rogers says he and Laura Kelly want to see expanded Medicaid and to go away from the privatization of health care.
Candidates spoke to constituents for close to three hours Sunday with a silent auction to help support the Lyon County Democratic Party. The keynote speaker for the event was Kansas House Minority Leader and former gubernatorial candidate Jim Ward.
Advance voting continues at the Lyon County Clerk’s office through noon Aug. 6 and the deadline to submit an application for a mail-in ballot is Tuesday. The primary election is Aug. 7. The general election is Nov. 6.
Photos by Brandon Peoples/KVOE News
