House District 89 Republican primary for Bel Aire, Park City, northeast Wichita area
Emanuel Banks and Robert W. Herrick Jr. are facing off in the Republican primary for House District 89, which is currently held by Democrat Kelechi Ohaebosim. The winner of the Republican primary will face Ohaebosim in November. The district includes parts of Bel Aire and Park City and parts of northeast Wichita.
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.
Emanuel Banks
Age: 50
Education: some college
Occupation: homeschool teacher
Political and civic experience: none listed
Endorsements: none listed
Contact information: abu_naml@hotmail.com
1. What will be your top priorities as a Kansas legislator?
To make Kansas self sufficient first. Second is to balance the budget and third is protecting personal liberties.
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.
As a candidate, I would first look into the situation, then I would decide whether or not to raise or lower taxes.
3. Do you support or oppose expansion of the state’s KanCare Medicaid program? Explain.
I would support Medicaid. Medicaid provides much needed health services for those unable to buy private healthcare.
4. Do you believe any changes should be made to better protect the rights of minority citizens? If so, what?
Enforce current laws on the books.
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 people acting through their legislators, should have a voice. The state should advise the citizens to take necessary safety precautions.
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 would oppose it.
7. Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
I am of the people. As Your Representative, I will ensure that You are truly Represented. My opponent(s) offer only the “same old...same old”. I am Your Candidate. Your Representative. A brighter Future for Kansas!
Robert W. Herrick Jr.
Age: 29
Education: Some college at Butler County Community College and Wichita State University
Occupation: Quality Technician for Textron Aviation at the Beechcraft plant
Political and civic experience: JROTC program, Republican precinct committeeman in precincts 425 and 127
Endorsements: Kansans for Life PAC
Contact information: Email: herrickforkansas@gmail.com; Website: herrickforkansas.com; Facebook
1. What will be your top priorities as a Kansas legislator?
Quality Healthcare, Defending the 2nd Amendment, Pro-Life Amendments, Lowering Taxes, and Limiting the Government
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 do not support raising any taxes. The government has basic functions and should find ways to accomplish this within their budget. If I don’t have money to spend in my home budget, then I can’t spend the money and have to figure it out. The state government should do the same.
3. Do you support or oppose expansion of the state’s KanCare Medicaid program? Explain.
I oppose the expansion. Medicaid expansion would increase the number of people who switch from their current insurance to KanCare which would cost taxpayers more money.
4. Do you believe any changes should be made to better protect the rights of minority citizens? If so, what?
There is always room for improvement. I would love to hear from minority citizens who feel that changes should be made. Once I fully understand the changes citizens want, then I can decide on what I believe should be changed.
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?
Each city should be in charge of how they control and contain the disease or pandemic. I would support citizens using social responsibilities of wearing a mask, social distancing, quarantining at their own will when necessary, and businesses using their rights and discretion to refuse service to anyone not following the guidance of the business ownership.
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 support efforts to overturn this ruling. The Kansas Constitution should not support these actions. Life begins at conception and ends at natural death.
7. Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
Voters should choose me because they deserve a leader who is prepared to speak up for them and is not afraid to be the only man standing. I am prepared to be the voice for our citizens and stand firm in my beliefs.
My past includes many situations that the average American has or is going through. The experience I have received from these situations places me as the best man to assist in solutions because I have been there and have lived through it. I grew up low-income, on welfare, with a broken family of divorced and remarried parents, step-siblings, and all the challenges that those things bring. I’ve lost jobs and found new ones. My parents weren’t lawyers or doctors and like them I am also a non-traditional student because we didn’t have money or scholarships to attend school. Life happens, but how we respond to it is what matters most and will speak more volume to our character than anything else.
This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 1:00 PM.