The Eagle’s endorsement for the Secretary of State GOP primary
Dennis Taylor is the clear choice in the Republican race that attempts to find the most suitable secretary of state who will work exhaustively within the office and without the bluster of Kris Kobach’s eight years in the role.
Taylor, 68, brings a breadth of experience to the role, having served in county and state government for decades, as well as helping former Soviet satellite countries develop public administration and election systems. Moreover, Taylor has been in a leadership role in most of those areas, which would serve him well as secretary of state.
Taylor is critical of Kobach’s performance and would take the office in a more low-key direction, yet has ideas to make it more effective and secure elections.
Taylor thinks the recently overturned proof of citizenship requirement for registering to vote, even if reinstated on appeal, is ineffective because it fails to validate birth certificates or passports. He would instead institute a post-election audit, where a small percentage of voters are asked to verify citizenship. Taylor also advocates for backing up voting data with paper ballots in all counties.
Currently a lawyer and Washburn University business law instructor, Taylor was chief of staff and labor secretary for former Gov. Mike Hayden. He also served as secretary of administration under former Gov. Sam Brownback. His leadership and experience give him the nod over his opponents in the GOP primary.
Craig McCullah would bring an insider’s view to the job, serving as deputy assistant secretary of state for three years before resigning earlier this year. He was Kobach’s first voter fraud investigator and has strong ideas for efficiency within the department. Election security and replacing aging IT systems are his biggest priorities.
State Rep. Keith Esau, who is House Elections committee chairman representing parts of Olathe and Lenexa, is a three-term House member with 35 years experience as a software developer. He supports voter ID requirements at the polls and proof of citizenship during the registration process, though he would push for an easier path for registrants to obtain necessary documentation.
State Rep. Scott Schwab of Olathe was chairman of the House Elections committee in 2011, when the SAFE Act (requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote) was passed.
Randy Duncan is a Salina businessman who has served two terms on the Saline County Commission. He supports voter ID requirements and proof of citizenship during registration.
The winner will face Democratic nominee Brian McClendon in the Nov. 6 general election.