A week ago, I contended it would be important for Democrats to have candidates on every ballot — including real candidates against moderate Republicans, especially Republicans who serve in districts where Paul Davis and President Obama prevailed.
Very few stories I write generate outright venom, but that story resulted in email, accusations I was being too partisan, as well as working against a coalition in the house. The last week, however, Kansas Democrats have discovered exactly what happens when moderate Republicans are left to their own devices, as unchallenged moderate Republicans have pulled a switcheroo, abandoning their races in order to either retire and hand pick their successor, or abandoning their races to chase another office.. and hand picking their successor. It’s all possible because Democratic party members had decided leaving moderate Republicans uncontested would be a good play for unity — and that moderate Republicans would show them courtesy if unchallenged.
Now, Moderate Republicans have abandoned post; but rather than leave the races where the district can decide, they have actively encouraged Democrats to leave them “unchallenged” as friendly opponents so that as filing deadline approaches, they can make sure their trend Democratic district, or heavily Democratic district, has a chance to stay in Republican control, making sure the Republican super majority stays.
shawneemissionpost.com/…
Wolf said she and her husband arrived at the decision earlier this month after discussing the possibility of Wolf being obligated to spend another four years in Topeka during the winter months. The Wolfs own a home in Arizona where Kay’s husband Steven lives part of the year.
“This was a very difficult decision,” Wolf said. “I’ve been going back and forth about it, but after three-and-a-half years away from your spouse, you kind of feel like that is enough. Another four years would have been too much.”
Wolf said she informed the area Republican representatives — Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, Melissa Rooker and Barbara Bollier — of the decision shortly after making it. Bollier, who has seniority among the three reps, confirmed Tuesday afternoon that she had filed to run as a Republican for Wolf’s seat.
Representative Barbara Bollier (R-Prairie Village) is one of the more liberal sitting members of the Kansas House, Republican or Democrat. Her district, which went for President Obama by more than 10 points, and Democrat Paul Davis by 20 points would seem like an open opportunity for a good race among Democratic party to pickup, as I noted a week ago.
While Wolf’s decision was known by the moderate Republican coalition in Johnson County, Democratic Party members were informed repeatedly they should “not waste their efforts” challenging popular elected Republicans, and as recently as a week ago — when my story was published — moderate Republicans and organizations noted: “Why would you challenge Barbara Bollier??”
Representative Bollier, who knew weeks ago of Wolf’s retirement may be moderate, but rather than declare at the time, continued the facade of a popular Republican in the seat in order to hand-pick her successor, hoping their would be no contest for the fall. “The moderates will announce a fantastic candidate tomorrow, watch out!” crowed private email and facebook responses to the announcement.
Within 30 minutes of reaching out to moderates about interest in running a Democratic candidate in that district — remember, +10D — Democratic members were informed “it’s too late, the candidate we have will have money, resources and a great name. It’s just too late.”
But the answer is, WHY is it too late?
Barbara Bollier’s race in Johnson County isn’t the only race of this form in the state of Kansas, as Don Hill (R-Emporia, District 60) had filed to run for office this year, telling elected Democrats that he had “one more election in him” before he “hangs it up”. In the end, however, Don Hill had already made his decision, and was busy grooming his moderate replacement.. the goal: put a moderate on the ballot at the end of the race, when their is no opportunity to file a competitor.
www.emporiagazette.com/…
Representative Don Hill is removing his name from the ballot for re-election to the Kansas House of Representatives. Hill has served seven terms.
“I will be retiring from my service in the legislature after completing my seventh term at the end of this year,” Hill said. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Emporia and the surrounding area. During my tenure of service I have trusted my constituents and my heart is full of gratitude for the trust and support I have received in return.”
Hill, who sits in a district that previously went 58.6% Davis 37.2% — a 20 point spread as well — had warded off Democratic challengers with the promise of “one more cycle”, but while Democrats received the story of “one more cycle” Republican consultants in Kansas City were informed that Hill had planned to retire more than three weeks prior, and also had his successor in mind.
Republicans, realizing that their seats were vulnerable to a Democratic challenger reverted to form, and despite their knowledge of their districts, as well as the understanding that the super majority of Democratic party members in the state house resulted in more Republicans on committees — making them more, not less conservative — chose to cloak that information in order to make sure their potential Democratic seats stayed in Republican control.
Moderates, who screamed to be treated with extra fairness, and who had called any attempt to challenge them “unfair partisanship” were, all the time, playing a partisan game of protecting Republican standing and numbers in the state house.
Democratic Party members had suggested the greatest problem was that moderate Republicans had been isolated from their own parties, pointing to events like the removal of Melissa Rooker (R-Fairway) from committees prior to session.
shawneemissionpost.com/...
“In the absence of a courtesy call, I choose to infer that it had to do with Medicaid expansion,” Rooker said Thursday morning. It is not the first time Rooker has been removed from one of her prime committees. Rooker had a long history as a public education advocate before entering the Legislature in the 2013 session and was assigned to the education committee. She was removed from education one year ago. She had been critical of an education bill passed in the 2014 session.
Just last month, Rep. Barbara Bollier was removed from the House Health and Human Services Committee by Speaker Ray Merrick. Bollier, a retired physician, and two other moderate representatives with health care experience were taken off the committee. Bollier pointed to her support for Medicaid expansion as leading t
When challenged on effectiveness — or if they had offered proposals of their own, moderate Republicans had argued they had moved to stop “The Wrecking Crew”
In the end, no matter how moderate, what the moderates were unwilling to do was deny the group they called “The Wrecking Crew" super majority control, or to increase Democratic say in the process. It’s something they couldn’t give up.. and allowing voters to have a fair shot at it wasn’t at the front of anyone’s mind.
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