With all the focus on national politics, Kansas Democrats are fearful voters will tune out the races in Kansas.
“I can’t think of anything that affects me more than the decisions made at the state level,” said Brooklynne Mosley, a young woman from Lawrence who serves as vice chairman of the Douglas County Democrats.
Mosley said the increase in the state sales tax has made her change her shopping habits.
“I’m affected by Topeka being broke,” she said.
Mosley was among a handful of Democratic organizers and candidates in Iola Tuesday night to mark the one-year anniversary of Allen County’s revived Democratic organization.
Mike Bruner, Humboldt, is chairman of the fledgling chapter.
The overwhelmingly Republican presence in Kansas can be intimidating to outsiders, said Kerry Gooch, executive director of the Kansas Democratic Party.
Gooch gave an example of his experience at last fall’s state fair: “You wouldn’t believe how many people came up to me and whispered, ‘I’m a Democrat, too.’”
Bruner noted Allen County’s Democratic membership tallied 1,453.
OF SPECIAL note at Tuesday’s forum was former state Representative Paul Davis, Lawrence, who opposed Sam Brownback in the 2014 gubernatorial race.
Davis is on the campaign trail for others these days and said he senses the 2016 election will be the one “to turn things around for Kansas.”
Davis accused Gov. Brownback and Republican legislators of being “fiscally irresponsible” in destroying the state’s finances.
“We’re facing a $250 million shortfall with no good options to fill it,” he said.
Davis said Brownback is wrong to think lowering taxes is the biggest priority among Kansans.
“Sure, nobody likes to pay taxes,” he said. “But whether you’re a Democrat, Republican or independent, you’re willing to pay as long as everyone else is sharing the burden.
“There’s a whole class no longer paying tax on their income. And you know what happens then, the burden gets shifted to the middle and lower classes to support a policy that gives a huge loophole to people who don’t need it.”
