Big First congressional district could have an independent candidate

Voters in Kansas’ Big First congressional district might have the option of choosing an independent candidate in November.

Alan LaPolice, who lost to U.S. Tim Huelskamp in the 2014 Republican primary, said he has gained the 5,000 signatures necessary to run as an independent on the general election ballot. District 1 covers much of western and northern Kansas, including Reno County.

If the secretary of state’s office accepts the signatures, LaPolice will face off against the winner of the Republican primary race between Huelskamp and Great Bend doctor Roger Marshall and Libertarian Kerry Burt.

LaPolice said he has twice the amount of signatures needed to run – almost 10,000 as of Wednesday. He plans to file the signatures with the secretary of state’s office this week.

LaPolice said he doesn’t see himself as the “third party candidate,” but rather as someone who wants to put aside party loyalties and do what’s best for the country.

“I’m trying to put seams in the fabric of this country before the fabric is torn to shreds,” he said.

This story was originally published July 27, 2016 at 1:32 PM with the headline "Big First congressional district could have an independent candidate."