What’s up, Doc? Marshall appeals to state board to be called ‘Doc’ on Kansas ballot
Three of the top elected officials in Kansas will have to meet in the near future to decide whether “Doc” is a nickname or a professional title.
Rep. Roger Marshall, a Republican who represents western Kansas, requested to be listed as Roger “Doc” Marshall on the August primary ballot when he will face former Secretary of State Kris Kobach and others in the GOP primary to replace retiring Sen. Pat Roberts.
The Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab’s office rejected the request last week, citing a Kansas law that prohibits the use of professional titles on the ballot.
Marshall filed an objection, which will require the State Objections Board to determine whether “Doc” constitutes a nickname or a professional title given Marshall’s background as an OB-GYN.
Kansas law allows candidates to use nicknames, such as when Vic ”T-Bone” Miller appeared on the ballot in a 2018 state Senate race.
Marshall’s campaign maintains that “Doc” is a nickname used by the congressman’s family and friends. But Marshall, an OB-GYN, often refers to his medical background in campaign materials.
“Doc’s friends and family have used his nickname for years in all sorts of social settings, and voters know him that way, too,” said Caleb Hays, Marshall’s campaign attorney in a statement. “Kansas law permits candidates to list a more familiar name on the ballot, and that’s all we’re asking for here.”
The congressman will have to persuade the State Objections Board, a panel that includes Schwab, Attorney General Derek Schmidt and Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers.
The board composed of three of the state’s top officials settles election-related disputes. The date to vote on Marshall’s nickname has not yet been set.
Republican Rep. Ron Estes was granted an exemption from the prohibition on titles in 2018 when he faced a primary challenge from Ron M. Estes, a Wichita man with the same first and last name.
The Kansas secretary’s office, which was led by Kobach at the time, allowed Estes to use the title “Rep.” to differentiate him from the other Ron Estes. Marshall is the only Roger Marshall in the Senate primary, which means that precedent won’t apply.
Marshall had made a similar request to use “Doc” on the ballot in 2016, which was rejected.
If he wins the Republican primary, Marshall would face another doctor in the general election: State Sen. Barbara Bollier, a retired anesthesiologist and the likely Democratic nominee.
She has not requested to be called “Doc.”
This story was originally published May 26, 2020 at 1:31 PM with the headline "What’s up, Doc? Marshall appeals to state board to be called ‘Doc’ on Kansas ballot."
