Southwest Sedgwick County House District 93 Republican primary

Brian Bergkamp and Mike Webb are trying to defeat incumbent J.C. Moore in the Republican primary. All three men list addresses in Haysville. As there is no Democrat in the race, the primary will determine who represents the 93rd House District, which includes Cheney, Clearwater and Viola and parts of Goddard, Haysville, Mulvane and southwest 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.

Brian Bergkamp

Age: 34

Education: BS in Accounting from Friends

Occupation: Project Manager

Political and civic experience: The Lord’s Diner Advisory Council; Big Brothers Big Sisters Sedgwick County mentor; Ronald McDonald House Red Shoe Society

Endorsements: Kansans for Life, Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Farm Bureau, Congressman Ron Estes, A rating from NRA

Contact information: brian@bergkampforkansas.com

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

Growing the economy and bringing new jobs to Kansas. Sustainable balanced budgets.

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.

There will be many tough decisions next year. Before actions are taken, community leaders and citizens will have the opportunity to provide feedback.The reality is many different areas will likely see cuts. I do not support permanent tax increases.

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

I do not support the expansion today. With current budget cuts looming, it makes it hard to find money for this. We need to continue searching for solutions that fix our healthcare issues.

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

As issues are identified, we need to work together as a state and community to bridge gaps that exist.

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 best decisions are typically made at the local level. Kansas is a diverse state full of rural and urban areas, so responses to issues can vary significantly. The governor and officials in leadership need to provide guidance and clear communication for what they deem to be the best course of action. Then local leaders set rules for how their counties and cities will operate. The governor is responsible for how travelers out of state/visitors are handled and coordinates with surrounding states as needed. Decisions at all levels are based off science and good data.

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 100% support Kansas residents having the option to vote on how the state should handle this going forward.

7. Why should voters choose you over your opponents?

I am the only true conservative option for them. I best reflect the district’s beliefs and values, and I will work hard to make sure their voice is heard in Topeka. I can build relationships to get things done while in office. Being from the area, I want to ensure future generations have opportunities to succeed and prosper.

J.C. Moore

Age: 77

Education: Bachelors and Master’s degrees from OSU, and have a Doctorate from KSU in Physical Chemistry.

Occupation: Retired from teaching chemistry and physics at Newman and Friends Universities.

Political and civic experience: Kansas Representative for District 93. Has served as a YMCA volunteer, an adult 4-H leader, a cosponsor of a Young Republican chapter, and a Sunday school leader. Has judged many science competitions, science bowls, science fairs, and been a teacher in summer programs designed to attract students into science and healthcare professions.

Endorsements: Dr. Surendra Singh, former Republican Governors Bill Graves and Mike Hayden, KFL, KNEA, Kansas Realtors PAC, and the Kansas Agri Business Council.

Contact information: : MooreforKansas@gmail.com; 316-558-7848

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

My general priorities are fiscal responsibility, school funding, infrastructure improvements, and quality healthcare for all Kansans. My specific goals for the next legislative session are:

Fiscal Responsibility. We must make smart budget cuts which will maintain essential services yet continue programs necessary for Kansas to prosper.

Schools. Tobacco Settlement Funds need to be shifted to allow more funding for early childhood education. Change the school funding formula to provide more state aid for new buildings without property tax increases. Improve and enforce school bus stop sign laws.

Incarceration. The Smart Justice Initiative, which is sponsored by such diverse groups as the ACLU and Americans for Prosperity, will greatly cut the incarceration rate and save the state millions of dollars.

Insurance. The Insurance Committee I am on is working on bills to limit co-pays for insulin and other life-saving drugs. Regulations and disclosure on pharmaceutical middleman can save up to 50% on some prescriptions. Road blocks need to be removed so that people can more easily access mental health care through their health insurance.

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.

This would be a bad time to raise taxes. I would favor expanding Medicaid, reducing incarceration costs by enacting the Smart Justice Initiative, and reviewing state programs to see where cuts can be made without endangering essential services.

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

I strongly support expanding Medicaid. It would insure 150,000 working Kansans and bring $800 million of our tax dollars back to Kansas each year. For it to pass, it must have amendments to trigger cancellation of the program if the federal match falls below 90% or if any of the money were to be use to fund abortions.

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

The main thing needed is a change in attitude of our citizens, our law enforcement officers, and our state leaders. I support the Smart Justice Initiative which will treat minorities fairly under the law.

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 response should be worked out between the Legislative leaders, the Governor, and our health care experts. I would support the measures they decide are necessary.

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 voted for the resolution to let the Kansas voters decide on the Constitutional Amendment.

7. Why should voters choose you over your opponents?

My education and experience have uniquely qualified me to be a Kansas Representative. Now, more than ever, Kansas needs experienced leaders to address the problems we will surely encounter in the next Legislative session.

Mike Webb

Age: 41

Education: High School Diploma and ITT Tech

Occupation: Entrepreneur

Political and civic experience: Precinct Committeeman

Endorsements:

Contact information: contact@mikewebbforkansas.com

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

Protect Kansas, Strengthen Kansas Through Industry and Defend our Values and Way of Life.

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.

Passing Medical Marijuana will help but we need a Deep Audit of every Kansas Tax Dollar. Kansas has 3 million people this should be an easily manageable number but it is not and Kansans Deserve to Know why and where Every Dollar goes.

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

I oppose the way Kancare Medicaid works. I believe we can create a health care system that lowers and extends coverage to Kansans using minimal Government resources. In short I don’t believe the Government should be in charge of health care. I believe by leveraging our agricultural resources and we can change health costs and through private Industry fund and work healthcare.

There is a better way to Expand HealthCare And Limit Government Control.

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

We All Have Equal Inalienable Rights Granted by Our Creator. On that premise alone All Rights Should be Protected.

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 of Kansas Should be made Aware of Any and All Threats. The Government through Health Industry and Legislation May Issue Warnings and Recommendations to the Public. If they believe a threat is serious enough to issue a Lock-down than they should institute a plan for People who Choose to Stay Home. The Government May Not Mandate a Lock-down. That is unconstitutional. However the Government can recommend a Lock-down and Protect the People who stay home. Build and Institute Incentives for those that Have to Have It, to Stay Home. This way both sides are protected, Rights and Health.

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 will always support Letting the People Vote Themselves.

7. Why should voters choose you over your opponents?

I have solutions. I’m not going in just complaining about how things are. I have real plans that can work for Kansas. As a matter of fact it is of the utmost importance the we move to strengthen and protect Kansas Now. As a Precinct Committeeman I met with the Director of Corrections in Sedgwick and Johnson Counties, toured facilities and talked to entrepreneurs and Legislators about things that are happening. We are Not just Fly over Country We are the Beating Heart of America. Its time we were Respected that way. The World is On Fire. WE can see the Future from Kansas. We need to be Preparing Now for What we see happening Tomorrow. I’m Not a Politician. I don’t Want to be but someone has to Stand Up and start demanding things happen to protect Our Families and Way of Life.

Arms and Ammunition Sales are through the roof. Why? Because People believe Diplomacy is going to fail. We Have to Fix that and We Have to Fix It Now.

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