It was one year ago that “Crazy/Stupid Republican of the Day” had its first profile of Steve Fitzgerald, a member of the Kansas State Senate. Fitzgerald, back in 2012, was a guest at a forum where he was introduced by a Ernest Evans, a political science professor at Kansas City Community College, who opened up the question and answer session with a joke, of sorts, sarcastically asking the famous loaded question of, “When did you stop beating your wife?” to get a laugh from the audience. Y’know, it’s the classic “the media is out to get you” reference. Well, what Evans probably wasn’t expecting was Steve Fitzgerald took the bait, and joked back, “Who said I stopped?” and then was surprised when nobody thought making light of abusing your spouse was hilarious. Fitzgerald also once told a group of Catholics that “one cannot support the Democratic platform and be a true follower of Christ” because Democrats support gay marriage. When you consider Jesus never said anything about gays, and was pretty specific about feeding the hungry and aiding the poor, the GOP platform seems a lot more out of synch with his teachings. Just to nitpick. Fitzgerald also has a staunchly conservative legislative record, including showing his Pro-Life credentials by sponsoring the “Kansas Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act”, his vote to drug test welfare recipients, his attempts to nullify federal firearms laws, and his sponsorship of a bill to legalize concealed carry without a permit in Kansas.
Our annual check-in on Steve Fitzgerald has really only shown him continue aiding Gov. Sam Brownback in his mad quest to cut the social safety net all but completely out from under the poorest citizens of Kansas, in favor of tax breaks for the rich (which have still not trickled back down to the poor after 6 years of this stupidity). Fitzgerald was very nearly booted from office in 2016, barely winning reelection over Democrat Bill Hutton by around 500 votes.
One Year Ago, January 18th, 2016: Steve Fitzgerald (KS)… Original Profile
Two Years Ago, January 18th, 2015: Ed Martin (MO)