The Kansas Republican Party’s racism has been on full display since Nixon’s Southern Strategy, turning a state which once bled and burned to expel slaveholders and their supporters into a bastion of intolerance. Former Governor Sam Brownback and current Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Kris Kobach have thrived and risen politically, buoyed by white backlash.
The past weekend, Republican Precinct Committeeman Michael Kalny of Shawnee responded on the Kansas City Star’s comment section to a few negative posts about Third Congressional District incumbent Kevin Yoder. Kalny skipped the issues entirely, attacking Democratic challenger Sharice Davids, a Native American and out lesbian:
Wow. Read that again, if you can:
”Your radical socialist kick boxing lesbian Indian will be sent back packing to the reservation!” — Michael Kalny, KS Republican Party Official
When asked for comment by the Kansas City Star, Kalny lawyered up.
As a resident of Kansas, I am saddened that angry bigoted white men resort to these kinds of attacks, but I am not surprised because Republican racism and homophobia has been on full-blown display since Donald Trump’s ascent.
This screed underscores another Republican problem — overlooking accomplishments because of gender, skin color or sexual orientation. Kalny scored the bigot trifecta.
No doubt the committeeman’s tirade was fueled by Trump’s visit to Topeka this past Saturday. The Kansas GOP put on a rally designed to whip up the stormtroopers for vote-suppressor and career racist gubernatorial candidate Kris Kobach, as well as serial liar Steve Watkins, who is running against Democrat Paul Davis in Kansas’ Second Congressional District.
Kevin Yoder was noticeably absent.
You can do your part by helping Sharice Davids win the KS-03, sending a message to white Republican men that his views are no longer acceptable in Kansas or anywhere.