US House Second District candidate Matt Kleinmann intends to be a “workhorse, not a showhorse” if elected to Washington later this year.
The Democratic candidate stopped in Emporia Monday evening to meet with members of the Democratic Party at Mulready’s Pub. Before that appearance, Kleinmann spoke with KVOE News and discussed his work over the last 10 years as a community developer highlighting his work to establish programs addressing needs such as healthcare, access to healthy foods, affordable housing and more.
If elected, Kleinmann says he plans to continue that work noting he does not simply want to talk about the issues but find solutions. He says one way to accomplish that goal is to establish common ground across the aisle and he believes there is already some legislation at the Federal level that would be perfect for that endeavor.
Unlike the Republican candidates in the race, Kleinmann is not a career politician and may not have the same name recognition with state voters. With that in mind, KVOE asked Kleinmann if he felt this is a disadvantage for him, to which he responded “That’ll be up for voters to decide.”
Kleinmann has a primary challenge from former Second District Congressperson Nancy Boyda for the seat being vacated by Republican Jake LaTurner. Boyda served from 2006-2008. Elgin “Eli” Woody, a Kansas City resident, had been on the ballot but is not anymore.
On the Republican side of the ballot are former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and Jeff Kahrs, a former LaTurner staffer and a US Health and Human Services regional director under former president Donald Trump. Also on the Republican ballot are Michael Ogle, Shawn Tiffany and Chad Young.
