Eagle endorsements: Kansas House Democratic primaries

86th District

Democratic

Attorney Jim Ward is the clear choice to return to the Statehouse representing this south Wichita district. Ward, 60, has been House minority leader for four years and ended a run for governor earlier this year. A member of the House since 2002, and a former member of the Wichita City Council and Wichita school board, Ward has been a party leader and should return as the state continues to work on strengthening its economy.

Alexander Vulgamore, 23, is a coffee shop manager emphasizing a generational shift in the Democratic party. A first-time candidate, Vulgamore supports complete legalization of marijuana.

The winner will face Republican nominee Jim Price in the Nov. 6 general election.

89th District

Democratic

KC Ohaebosim is the choice to return to the House in 2019 in this northeast Wichita district. Ohaebosim, a 39-year-old data analyst, thinks overriding Gov. Sam Brownback’s 2017 veto to restore taxes was one of the biggest accomplishments of his term. It has enabled, he said, lawmakers to fund more areas of state government more adequately. Ohaebosim hopes Medicaid expansion will break through in the next session, as it is important to a segment of low-income residents of the 89th District. Ohaebosim knows the key issues of his district and deserves a second term.

Marty Keenan, 57 and a two-year resident of the district, would also be a good representative. Keenan, an attorney and criminal justice educator, was involved in Kansas Democratic politics while living in Great Bend, including on the city’s council. Keenan wants to effect change and grow Kansas after eight years, he said, of the Brownback/Colyer administration. Keenan is for fully legalizing marijuana.

LeSean Tarkington, 38, who is senior minister at Grant Chapel AME church, is a first-time candidate.

There is no Republican nominee, so the winner of this primary will be the district’s representative.

99th District

Democratic

Kristi Kirk is the choice in this district that covers Andover and parts of Rose Hill and east Wichita. An English teacher at Derby High School, Kirk, 54, has taught for 18 years and is committed to the state ensuring a quality public education for its students. Kirk sees quality public schools as the basis for economic prosperity for an area, making it an attractive place for people to move and businesses to locate. She sees vouchers as a way of dismantling public education and believes taxpayer money should stay within public schools.

Gerald Winget is also running but doesn’t appear to be actively campaigning.

The winner will face Republican nominee Susan Humphries in the Nov. 6 general election.