Women for Kansas to hold first convention Labor Day weekend

More than 400 women will gather in Wichita on Labor Day weekend as the grassroots organization Women For Kansas holds its first convention.

Lynn Stephan, a retired advertising executive who serves as the group’s chair, said the purpose of the gathering at the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview is to train the attendees on how get other voters to the polls in November.

"We know that these people will vote, the people coming to the convention, no problem with that. But getting out the vote is the key issue. So we’re hoping that they go back and do that. Talk to their friends and neighbors," Stephan said. "This being a low turnout election, that’ll make a difference."

Right now, 450 women are expected to show up to the convention from 88 towns in Kansas.

About 80 tickets remain and are available on the group’s website, www.womenforkansas.org.

A banquet will feature candidates the organization has endorsed: Democrat Paul Davis and his running mate Jill Docking in the governor’s race, Democrat Jean Schodorf in the secretary of state’s race and independent candidate Greg Orman in the U.S. Senate race.

"We like the notion of his independence and the fact that he’s not bound to a political party," Stephan said about the group’s decision to endorse Orman over Democrat Chad Taylor and incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts. "Frankly, personally, I wish there were a few more independents."

Stephan said the organization endorsed Davis in the governor’s race because it believes he is fiscally responsible.

This story was originally published August 22, 2014 at 7:22 AM with the headline "Women for Kansas to hold first convention Labor Day weekend."