KVOE’s Candidate Forum on Thursday focused on the Kansas House 51st District.
Typically, Candidate Forums include all candidates for a given position. However, incumbent Ron Highland was the only guest after challenger Gary Schuetz declined to be part of the program.
Highland, who has represented the district since 2013 and has already said this will be his last term in office, says experience is important at this time.
Highland mentioned numerous concerns stemming from coronavirus pandemic — notably in the future impact on the business sector.
Given that potential impact, Highland anticipates some budget movement, and although he’s not in favor of across-the-board cuts, he would like to see more emphasis on targeting cuts towards nonessential programs. He says history will judge whether the state handled the pandemic well and whether the state reopened the economy too soon or too late, but he says it’s important to put all the data in front of residents and let them determine how to proceed.
KVOE’s Candidate Forum series continues next week with a focus on the Lyon County Commission races. On July 21, Third District candidates Rollie Martin, Chris Bartel and Jarom Smith appear on the program. On July 23, Second District candidates Robert McClelland, Phil Mott and Doug Peck will be on the program. Both programs will start at 10:06 am and will be in the KVOE.com Audio Vault after their conclusion.
