House District 98 Democratic primary for Haysville, south central Wichita
Carol Brewer and incumbent Steven G. Crum are competing for the Democratic nomination for the 98th House district, which represents parts of Haysville, Oaklawn and south central Wichita. The winner will face off against Republican Ron Howard in November.
House members are elected to a two-year term. Legislators are part time and receive 88.66 per day plus $149 per day for living expenses during the 90-day session and for attending interim committee meetings. They also receive $787 per month to cover expenses when the Legislature is not in session.
Only voters who live in the district may vote in this race.
Carol Brewer
Age: 44
Education: Wichita State University Social Work Social Work Program and Colorado Tech Criminal Justice
Occupation: Senior Expert Team @ T-Mobile
Political and civic experience: Campaign volunteer for Carl Brewer for City Council & Carl Brewer for Mayor.
Endorsements: 2020 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate distinction
Contact information: Phone: 316-993-8744; email: 1920carolbrewer@gmail.com; FaceBook: Carol Brewer for State Representative 98th district
1. What will be your top priorities as a Kansas legislator?
Medicaid Expansion, Education/school Funding, Greater Accountability for Department for Children and Families and Foster care, and Equal rights for all.
2. The state government will likely be facing budget shortfalls. Specify what taxes you would support raising and/or what cuts you would support to address this problem.
First we should not look to automatically increase or raise taxes. We should try and move our state’s money around. An example of that would be to put a stop on expansion projects for prisons and allocate that money to other areas. Tax definitely should not be increased through food sales tax in Kansas as we still are one of the highest and should not place anymore hardship on our children and families’ pockets then necessary.
3. Do you support or oppose expansion of the state’s KanCare Medicaid program? Explain.
SUPPORT!!! Currently there are 150,000 Kansans living in my district and here in Sedgwick county as well as across our state without health insurance. Medicaid expansion will help reduce the number of uninsured. It is projected that it will also create about 13,000 new jobs throughout our state if the expansion is to take place. Expansion will be a huge investment in preventive care because people will not be afraid to go to the doctor for check ups nor will they be turned away for needed tests. Recently, Wellington, Kansas, was forced to close the doors of its hospital, but had the expansion of Medicaid been successful this hospital could still be open and treating the residents. Preventive care should be a focus to continue to keep our loved ones healthy and Medicaid Expansion will make sure our loved ones continue to get the healthcare needs that are imperative with HEALTH, WELLNESS & LIFE.
4. Do you believe any changes should be made to better protect the rights of minority citizens? If so, what?
All citizens should have equal rights. I strongly support protection of rights for all Kansans and I support our Governor and stand behind her but also feel we should start a conversation about law enforcement reform at all levels to ensure the safety and fair treatment of not just minorities but all affected by, racism, classism, & sexism.
5. Should the Covid-19 pandemic flare up again, or another dangerous disease surface in Kansas, who should be in charge of the state’s response to disease control and containment? What measures would you support or oppose?
I strongly feel our Governor should have the ability to call the shots and direct the resources where needed under the advice of State Medical Experts. A measure that I could support will be for the executive branch to periodically brief the entire legislative branch on the current or ongoing situation facing our state as it is extremely important for all to be on one accord.
6. Do you support or oppose efforts to place a constitutional amendment before Kansas voters to overturn a state Supreme Court ruling that says the Kansas Constitution supports a woman’s right to choose to terminate her pregnancy?
It is a woman’s body and I support the choices a woman makes for her own body and if she so chooses to terminate her pregnancy that is HER choice and should be left to her to make that decision unless she is medically unable to do so.
7. Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
This primary election is not about which Democrat is better than the other. This election is about who can better address the needs and issues facing the people who live in the 98th District, the people of Sedgwick County, and the people of Kansas. My focus is the entire district, not one small portion of the district. I have worked hard advocating for my community and my goal is to continue to not just advocate for the 98th District and those that live in it but to work for and listen to their needs and vote according to their needs. I want to be that Representative that represents my constituents and not myself.
Steven G. Crum
Age: 54
Education: Graduated from Campus High School 1984. Graduated from Newman University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education
Occupation: Teacher and coach
Political and civic experience: Kansas House Representative District 98 from 2017-2018. Member of the Special Olympics Games Management Team from 1989-2017. Haysville Planning Commission 2000 Haysville City Council Ward 3 from 2001-2010 During my time on Council I have served on Community Library Board, Recreation Committee, Finance Committee, Park Board Chair, Tree Board, and was elected to multiple terms as Council President. Haysville City Council Ward 1 from 2013-present.
Endorsements: KNEA
Contact information: crumforkansas.com; crumforkansas@gmail.com; facebook.com/CrumForKansas/
1. What will be your top priorities as a Kansas legislator?
Medicaid Expansion- There were 150,000 people that fall into a gap that we can close. That was before unemployment hit record highs and I believe many more Kansans will now find themselves without healthcare. This is a moral issue, not a political one. It is also vitally important to protect social services, such as Department for Children and Families and our foster care system from potential budget cuts due to COVID-19. Education funding, that just recently became constitutional, must be protected as well. Improving transparency in the legislature and working in a bipartisan manner is also a priority for me.
2. The state government will likely be facing budget shortfalls. Specify what taxes you would support raising and/or what cuts you would support to address this problem.
I would not support any tax increases that would affect the poor and middle-class Kansans. I would consider an income tax on individuals that make $250,000 or a couple that makes $500,000 in a year. That would be adding a bracket to our current policy. As far as cuts, I would need to look more specifically at the budget. I do know I want no cuts to social services, such as DCF & our foster care system. Education funding should be protected as well. Our most vulnerable citizens should be shielded from any potential cuts.
3. Do you support or oppose expansion of the state’s KanCare Medicaid program? Explain.
YES! YES! YES! With an estimated 150,000 Kansans falling in our Kancare/Medicaid gap before the pandemic caused unprecedented job loss and unemployment. Since that time, the number has undoubtedly grown significantly. People who did have healthcare through their work, now suddenly find themselves with no coverage, limited income, and no way out. Thirty-seven states have, or are in the process of, expanding their Medicaid programs through the federal program. Ensuring healthcare availability in rural areas would be increased with Expansion, as hospitals could remain open and Medical professionals would see rural offices more financially feasible. It’s a moral question, not a political one.
4. Do you believe any changes should be made to better protect the rights of minority citizens? If so, what?
After we watched the horrific murder of Mr. Floyd a light was shown on certain systematic racial injustice in our society. This issue will likely mean sweeping changes in law enforcement and the Justice system. I will work to make sure all police officers are trained in de-escalation techniques, and stop using stereo-typical beliefs in the search for justice. We must recruit more people of color into law enforcement and judgeships. We must also make it understood that good cops are expected to call out/charge/arrest the bad cops. We must work toward being a state and a nation that rightly treats all people equally.
5. Should the Covid-19 pandemic flare up again, or another dangerous disease surface in Kansas, who should be in charge of the state’s response to disease control and containment? What measures would you support or oppose?
I do not know how or why we have suddenly decided that science has political motivations. We must listen to our medical professionals & scientists, understanding that as new information becomes available, some beliefs will change. That is what knowledge will do; help find better information. We have 105 counties & each is different. Each county should have an independent health board that is only medical professions, & they should decide the response. We must let science & medical professionals be our guide through this pandemic. I believe our state did what was right in the beginning but opened too soon. Masks are now a necessity or we will be forced into another shutdown.
6. Do you support or oppose efforts to place a constitutional amendment before Kansas voters to overturn a state Supreme Court ruling that says the Kansas Constitution supports a woman’s right to choose to terminate her pregnancy?
If new medical information would become known or policies that are different from others that have already been found unconstitutional at the federal level. A vote just to have a vote that would later be overturned after a significant cost to the state would not be a good decision. I would rather support programs that would give more choices to women. Better health coverage, access to birth control, programs to help young parents, making adoption less expensive and help for people looking to adopt.
7. Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I am a proven leader who studies the issues and is not afraid to ask for help understanding an issue. Look at what was accomplished in a bipartisan manner during the 2017-18 sessions in Topeka, while I was the Representative of District 98. The horrible tax experiment was stopped. The education lawsuit was settled and our schools are now funded at constitutional levels. I do not have a personal agenda. I have lived in this area for over 50 years and I intend to represent the people of District 98, rather than special interests or legislative leadership.
This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 5:00 AM.