The Allen County Democratic Party will host a public forum featuring six of the eight Democratic candidates for Kansas governor. The event kicks off Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the John Silas Bass North Community Hall at 505 N. Buckeye St. However, the public is invited for free, pre-event pizza and schmoozing starting at 6 p.m.
The contested Democratic primary election is set for Aug. 7, and will likely include the eight candidates still in the race. They are state Sen. Laura Kelly from Topeka; Josh Svaty, a 38-year-old Ellsworth farmer, former state lawmaker, EPA official, and former Kansas ag secretary; current House Minority Leader Jim Ward, Wichita; former two-term Wichita mayor Carl Brewer; Arden Anderson, a physician from Olathe; Robert Klingenberg, a salesman and truck driver from Salina; 17-year-old Jack Bergeson, high-schooler and pot legalization enthusiast; and former FBI agent Michael Tab-man.
Brewer and Tabman will not attend Tuesdays forum.
According to ACDP point person Mike Bruner, candidates will face questions on issues affecting the citizens of Allen County and greater southeast Kansas questions ranging from healthcare to agriculture, education to immigration, to name but a few.
The event is open to all Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and the non-affiliated. Voter registration forms will be on hand for those wishing to register or change parties.
Even though Ive always been a pretty strong Democrat, reflected Bruner, in my almost 50 years of voting, I have voted for Democratic and Republican candidates for governor. People need to forget about party labels and look closely at the candidates themselves to see which one will best meet the needs of the people of Kansas. Since theres going to be a contested primary in both parties, the way the system works is that it really is government of, for, and by the people, and the primary in August is going to give the voters, the actual people, the choice of whos on that ballot. If you want your choice, the best thing to do is vote. People can complain and whine about the influence of big money in politics and how politicians never listen to people, they only listen to donors. But thats really not true; they really do listen to the people. And the primary in August is where voters can really exercise true power. Regardless of which political party you normally agree with, ultimately, being an informed and thoughtful and engaged voter will overcome all of that money thrown by all of those billionaires. And if you dont have people getting involved and attending events like this one, then youre just turning the system over to the big money. We hope to have a good turnout [next week]. Anyway, itll be fun.
