David Toland should be the commerce secretary of Kansas.
With abundant experience in economic development and an impressive resume as CEO of Thrive Allen County, Toland would be an asset to the department and the entire state. The fact that his nomination hearings devolved into a partisan spat speaks poorly of legislators and suggest backroom whisper campaigns focused on attacking a Democratic rising star.
We hold hearings on prospective department leaders for a reason. Legislators have every right, and we have every expectation that they will, probe legitimate questions about a nominees philosophies and background. While it might have been uncomfortable for Toland to answer questions about a politically charged social media post, for example, it was worthy of a question. The commerce secretary will represent all Kansans, after all.
But the hearings became far more contentious, and representatives aired rumors as facts. Toland and Gov. Laura Kelly were rightfully offended by the tone and ferocity of the questions. A few days later, anti-abortion group Kansans for Life attacked Toland.
What was the problem? Thrive had used grant funds from a foundation established in the name of murdered abortion provider George Tiller to support womens health initiatives. Thats right. The grant supported reducing smoking rates among pregnant women and work to reduce premature and low-weight births.
One hopes that such work would be hailed by both anti-abortion and abortion-rights activists.
The fact that Toland is being attacked over it for work in an agency that ultimately is about building Kansas economy shows that his opponents are more interested in cutting him down than making the state better. These are Washington, D.C.-level cheap shots.
As governor, Laura Kelly has the right and duty to appoint department chiefs and cabinet secretaries. Kelly is a Democrat, and she ran as one and won as one. She should be able to appoint officials who support her agenda.
Yes, it will be likely that these officials will have spent time working for progressive institutions or causes. They may even be registered members of a party that is not Republican. But thats not reason for committee members or the Senate to oppose them. Toland has notched an exemplary record Thrive received the Culture of Health Prize from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 2017 and has given us no doubt that he will continue that record at the commerce department.
If Toland succeeds as commerce secretary he may well have his eye on higher office. If that happens, Republicans should be prepared to debate him on some future campaign trail.
They shouldnt be trying to bring him down now.
