Former Emporia resident Jim Barnett joined KVOE’s On-Air Chat this week to discuss his gubernatorial campaign and the issues facing Kansas.
Barnett says his campaign focuses on six points: agriculture, economic development, education, health care access, tourism and attracting young professionals. He says the race for governor is currently anybody’s to win.
This is Barnett’s second run for governor after he challenged then-governor Kathleen Sebelius in 2006.
Barnett is touting early childhood education to reverse what he sees as an increase in generational poverty. He also says the state’s lengthy fight over education funding is sending a message that Kansas doesn’t care about education, forcing potential teachers to look elsewhere for jobs or to consider other careers. He also wants the state to increase its carer readiness for several fields.
Born near Reading, Barnett received a bachelor’s degree from Emporia State before pursuing a career in medicine that led him to a lengthy career in Emporia. He is currently practicing medicine in Topeka.
Barnett’s public service career began in Emporia when he served on the USD 253 school board from 1991-1999. He also served the 17th Senate District in the Statehouse from 2001 until 2010, when he ran unsuccessfully for the US House seat vacated when Jerry Moran went from House to Senate.
