Southwest Wichita House District 97 Republican primary

Michael E. Walker is challenging incumbent Nick Hoheisel in the Republican primary for House district 97, which represents parts of southwest Wichita. The winner will take on Democrat Kim Webb 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.

Nick Hoheisel

Age: 34

Education: Wichita State University (Political Science Major)

Occupation: Small Business Owner

Political and civic experience: Current State Representative. Former member of the City Council District IV Advisory Board; Member of Southwest Village Neighborhood Association Board; Graduate of the Wichita/Sedgwick County Citizens Police Academy.

Endorsements: Kansans for Life, National Rifle Association, Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Livestock Association, Former Rep. Les Osterman

Contact information: NickHoheisel@gmail.com

1. What will be your top priorities as a Kansas legislator?

Restarting the economy. The shutdown of the economy has destroyed thousands of jobs and small businesses. It is imperative that our focus in the 2021 session is getting the economy back on track. I will also focus on protecting life and liberty.

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.

The last thing we should do to businesses and Kansans who are trying to rebuild is raise taxes on them. We must look at the budget overall and find savings. Nothing should be off the table, but we must make sure the cuts are surgical, not butchered.

3. Do you support or oppose expansion of the state’s KanCare Medicaid program? Explain.

While we must work to address rising medical costs, expanding another expensive government program during a budget crunch is not the answer. We must work to lower healthcare costs through innovation and free market principles.

4. Do you believe any changes should be made to better protect the rights of minority citizens? If so, what?

I believe we need better communication and understanding. We need to not allow outside extremist voices to divide us as a nation. We need to work together to become what Ronald Reagan called “the shining city upon a hill”.

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?

The state’s response should be in the hands of both the Governor and the Legislature, as both are duly elected by Kansans. The Legislature provides oversight of the Governor, and when possible we should defer decisions to the localities.

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?

I am 100% pro-life and endorsed by Kansans for Life. I had to honor of voting for the Value Them Both amendment last session. At the end of the day, it’s the people’s Constitution. It’s the people’s right to decide this issue.

7. Why should voters choose you over your opponents?

I’ve had the honor of representing the 97th district the last two years. I’ve repeatedly provided consistent conservative leadership by voting to reduce the sales tax on food, for property tax reform, and protecting life and the 2nd Amendment. That’s the leadership the 97th District expects out of its representation, and that’s the leadership I’m proud to have provided the last two years, and will continue to provide moving forward.

Michael E. Walker

Age: 73

Education: Bachelors Degree, Wichita State University

Occupation: Retired small business owner, current LLC owner

Political and civic experience: None

Contact information: 316-259-2565 or mcwalker5226@att.net

1. What will be your top priorities as a Kansas legislator?

The elimination of sales tax for hard working families and the eventual elimination of state income tax.

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 have sign a pledge to never advocate raising taxes. I would work to eliminate fraud and waste in state government.

3. Do you support or oppose expansion of the state’s KanCare Medicaid program? Explain.

Oppose.

4. Do you believe any changes should be made to better protect the rights of minority citizens? If so, what?

I believe the anti-discrimination policies in effect are up to the job. We just need to make sure they are implemented and enforced!

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 believe the state house and senate should determine the measures. Measures should be taken, of course, and hopefully soon a vaccine developed. I believe we have totally overacted due to this latest virus which will kill many less people than the common flu, for which we have a vaccine available. Every death is a tragedy, of course, but these extreme measures taken seem to be a concentrated effort by the left and their enabling press to damage the current president and his administration.

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?

Nothing in the constitution even comes close to the wanton killing of an innocent unborn child in their mothers womb! I am pro-life with NO exceptions and will do everything in my power to protect the unborn. I will certainly support the amendment to overturn this ruling! Abortion is murder, plain and simple.

7. Why should voters choose you over your opponents?

I am conservative in all matters, both social and financial and believe our state is trending to far to the left. We have been a solid red state with a great conservative reputation, but there are too many people willing to compromise with the left and willing to move to their way of thinking, rather than fight for the conservative values this state was founded on. I want to reverse that trend with the help of the voters of District 97.

This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 1:00 PM.