Setting the record straight about Kansas Democrats, teachers union | Opinion

Like many Kansas Democrats, I tuned into the first primary debate for governor between the Democratic candidates for that office. As a lifelong member of the Kansas National Education Association and former Kansas Senate minority leader, I was disappointed by what I heard from state Sen. Cindy Holscher.

Many Kansans might know me as state Sen. Hensley. But that title, and the responsibility that comes with it, pale in comparison to being Mr. Hensley to Topeka school students for 43 years.

Teaching is not an easy profession. But it is a calling. Every school day, teachers work to ensure our students have the best possible learning environment and that they are successful.

I always thought as a member of the Kansas Legislature, Holscher respected classroom teachers who also belong to the teachers union. Yet in the debate, she attacked the credibility and integrity of organized labor in a way that I, and many other union members, found deeply offensive. Her insinuation of corruption was unfounded and harmful to the organizing efforts of the working Kansans she claims to champion.

The Kansas City Star reported that Holscher is a member of KNEA. I did not know her to be a member of the same union I belonged to for decades. But regardless of when she joined, union membership should never be used as a political shield while attacking the credibility of other unions and the workers they represent.

State Sen. Holscher has been a supporter of public education, and to her credit, she obtained an emergency substitute license during a teacher shortage. But using that license to present herself to voters as a teacher is misleading. An emergency substitute license does not require the same training, preparation, testing or professional experience required of licensed classroom teachers. It is not the same thing as dedicating a career to the classroom, and it should not be treated that way for political gain.

Teachers have spent years fighting to have our profession respected. We have fought for fair wages, safe classrooms, strong public schools and a voice in the decisions that affect our students. It does a disservice to that work when someone claims the title of teacher without understanding the full weight of what that title means.

In addition, during the debate she claimed to be the “anti-establishment” candidate. She said party leadership tried to dissuade her from running for the Kansas Senate seat she now holds. That is false. Many Democrats urged her to run, myself included. In fact, I spoke at her campaign launch in 2020 as the sitting state Senate minority leader.

I’ve known Cindy Holscher for a decade. I’ve respected her public service. That is why I am disappointed to see her attack organized labor’s good name, embellish her record and discredit past Democratic Party support for her in an effort to gain votes. These are not the tactics of a champion for working families.

I wanted to set the record straight from my perspective because Democratic voters deserve to make decisions with the full truth before they vote on Aug. 4.

Anthony Hensley is former Kansas Senate minority leader and lifelong member of the Kansas National Education Association.

This story was originally published June 23, 2026 at 5:09 AM with the headline "Setting the record straight about Kansas Democrats, teachers union | Opinion."