House District 82 Republican primary for Mulvane area
Republican voters in the 82nd House district will choose between incumbent Jesse Burris and Jerimiah Webb, both of Mulvane. The winner will face Democrat Edward Hackerott, also of Mulvane, 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.
Jesse Burris
Age: 38
Education: Juris Doctor, bachelor’s degree, high school diploma
Occupation: Attorney
Political and civic experience: Representative, Kansas House District 82, since June 2017; Member of the John M. West American Legion Post 408 (Derby-Haysville)
Endorsements: Kansans For Life PAC, NRA-PVF, Kansas State Rifle Association PAC, Kansas Chamber of Commerce PAC, Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce PAC, Family Policy Alliance of Kansas, Kansas Farm Bureau VOTE FBF PAC, Kansas Livestock Association PAC
Contact information: Cell: 316-749-8303; Email: Vote4Burris@gmail.com; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RepJesseBurris.
1. What will be your top priorities as a Kansas legislator?
My top priorities are to listen to and serve the people of District 82; support the U.S. and Kansas Constitutions; uphold law, order, and justice; preserve free markets and private property rights; oppose socialism and identity politics; protect all innocent human life (including all unborn children); defend the individual right to keep and bear arms; preserve the freedoms of religion and speech; affirm logic, reason, objective truth, and Judeo-Christian principles; and adequately fund state government while holding accountable those who spend the taxpayers’ money.
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 refuse to raise taxes. Spending can be reduced in various ways. Every agency must operate frugally and within its means, tighten its belt like the rest of us, and provide legislators an itemized budget request enumerating all items in order of priority. Except for law enforcement vehicles or vehicles damaged in an accident, agency vehicles should not be replaced until they’ve reached 150,000 miles. Hospitality budgets should be eliminated. Poorly performing agencies should receive less funding. I would prioritize spending related to corrections, law enforcement, and public safety.
3. Do you support or oppose expansion of the state’s KanCare Medicaid program? Explain.
I oppose Medicaid expansion for various reasons. Expansion will lead to taxpayer funded abortions (if the Value Them Both or similar constitutional amendment is not first passed). Medicaid was meant for the truly vulnerable (e.g., the disabled), and expanding it to able-bodied, working-age adults will make it harder for vulnerable groups to get help they need. Expansion will inevitably cost much more than proponents say, especially if the federal government stops funding Medicaid. Expansion will not decrease the burdensome regulations that have increased healthcare costs.
4. Do you believe any changes should be made to better protect the rights of minority citizens? If so, what?
I believe the realization of my top priorities (see my answer to the question “What will be your top priorities as a Kansas legislator?” would ensure justice for all Kansans (and Americans).
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?
Elected officials should be in charge of the state’s response. Decisions should be made as locally as possible. I will oppose any measure that will violate the U.S. or Kansas Constitutions, destroy freedom, or ruin the economy.
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 absolutely support placing before Kansas voters a constitutional amendment to overturn the Kansas Supreme Court’s abominable ruling. The Court invented in Section 1 of the Bill of Rights of the Kansas Constitution a nearly limitless “right” to abortion despite the fact that life is the first right enumerated by Section 1. The right to life is the preeminent of all rights. Without life, no other right can be exercised or enjoyed. Section 1 arguably recognizes this.
7. Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
Over 10 years ago, while serving in the U.S. Air Force as a Firefighter, I moved to Derby. After falling in love with my wife who is from Mulvane, I decided to stay. My wife and I with our three children live just outside Mulvane and attend church in Derby.
Unlike my opponent, who didn’t even do NRA’s questionnaire, I’m endorsed and graded “A” by NRA. My opponent cannot be trusted to protect your rights. My voting record is clear and proves I’ll protect your right to keep and bear arms, which is more important than ever.
Jerimiah Webb
Did not respond.
This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 1:00 PM.