Dear editor,
In his two terms in Congress, Rep. Roger Marshall has shown a pattern of putting Kansas second to partisan politics.
While he claims to be “fighting for Kansas values,” he’s simultaneously accepting six-figure campaign donations from insurance and pharmaceutical companies and voting to give big pharma $76 billion in tax breaks. Additionally, he voted to let drug companies charge citizens more for their medications and charge seniors more for their premiums.
Marshall, who relies heavily on his medical credentials, has spearheaded the destruction of the Affordable Care Act during his time in Washington and acted as a pawn in the partisan game against expanding Medicaid in Kansas — citing poor people “just don’t want healthcare.” In a state where 150,000 people fall into the coverage gap — during a worldwide pandemic no less — we need leaders willing to stand up to both political parties to solve the health challenges facing our communities.
The Congressman has also continued to ignore the statewide mask mandate while campaigning in both urban and rural areas, including public schools. He’s frequently photographed indoors, maskless, shaking hands with elderly and disabled individuals in COVID-19 hotspots — including Wyandotte County which has more than 5,700 COVID-19 cases, with 111 deaths.
Marshall has created false narratives in his TV ads to intentionally mislead Kansas voters regarding his opponent’s voting history.
The first included a clip of Dr. Barbara Bollier saying, “I’ll work to ban them nationwide.”
Those six words were indeed said by Bollier, but in reference to surprise medical bills, not firearm restrictions, as Marshall’s ad purports.
Additionally, the Marshall ad criticizes Bollier for her pro-choice stance on abortion, adding the sound clip, “That’s what I believe in my heart.” The clip actually is from Bollier’s October 2019 announcement of calling for bipartisanship in Washington.
We need public officials who tell the truth. Marshall’s actions convince me he is not the best choice for the U.S. Senate.
Allie Utley,
Iola, Kan.
