Letters on voting, Marshall, Huelskamp, Dennis, Masterson, McGinn

Please help choose state’s leaders

According to information provided on the Kansas secretary of state’s website, only 20 percent of Kansas registered voters cast a ballot in the 2014 August primary election. The primary elections are almost as important as the general election, as they determine who will be on the ballot in November.

In the 2014 general election, 51 percent of registered voters cast a ballot. Although greater than the percent of voters who turned out for the primary, the turnout saw 15 percent fewer voters engaged in the process compared with the 2012 general election.

As a native Kansan and father of two children, I care deeply about our state’s future. I wish to see a prosperous state that is safe, maintains a dependable infrastructure, reaches out and supports those most in need, values all citizens, and provides a world-class education and training program for all. This is all possible; however, it greatly depends upon whom Kansans elect in the Aug. 2 primary and in the Nov. 8 general election.

Our state and our future depend upon the leadership of today. Please help choose those leaders.

Marshall is the logical choice

Choosing effective leaders is important. In Kansas’ 1st Congressional District race, Roger Marshall is the choice of nearly all the major agriculture organizations, because we believe it’s time for a different approach.

Marshall is a business and community leader, active in church and engaged in the lives of his wife and family. His outreach to farmers, ranchers and rural communities across the “Big First” is impressive. He has spent time at the kitchen table in farm family homes, asking what Kansans want in their congressman. He knows the importance of forging a consensus, while keeping values intact.

Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler/Hutchinson was removed from the agriculture and budget committees, and information from Washington, D.C., indicates that his reinstatement is highly unlikely. He has burned bridges with colleagues, farmers and ranchers, and others. His votes against renewable fuels, the farm bill (including crop insurance) and other legislation just because the bills weren’t “perfect” show a lack of willingness to work with either side of the aisle, and put agriculture policy at risk.

Kansas needs practical, conservative leadership, not more rhetoric.

Advance voting is open now. I encourage Kansans in the Big First to vote for Roger Marshall.

Huelskamp best

Roger Marshall is trying to label Rep. Tim Huelskamp as one of the establishment types that Huelskamp has fought against. How’s that? Huelskamp has never voted for a tax increase and couldn’t be further from the voting records of establishment politicians in Washington, D.C. Look for yourself.

Conservative Review tracks all votes of members of Congress and grades them based on whether they uphold conservative constitutional principles and personal liberty. Here are the grades for the Kansas delegation: Tim Huelskamp, A; Sen. Jerry Moran, D; Sen. Pat Roberts, F; Rep. Mike Pompeo, C; Rep. Kevin Yoder, D; and Rep. Lynn Jenkins, F.

Most recently, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and the National Rifle Association endorsed Huelskamp, after his endorsements by Kansans for Life and National Right to Life. I urge you to vote for Tim Huelskamp so that he can continue to vote pro-life, pro-family, pro-Constitution and pro-liberty.

Dennis is a leader

Haven’t you often thought that we need our politicians to use clear, thoughtful and logical thinking to solve problems and lead our government? Governing and problem-solving are not one-dimensional. Our best leaders are great listeners who will analyze problems and situations from all viewpoints and not make knee-jerk reactions or give in to political or self-serving agendas.

We have that opportunity to elect such a leader: David Dennis as Sedgwick County commissioner in District 3.

Dennis is a retired colonel of the Air Force and family man who has demonstrated his willingness to serve us. He is a great listener who demonstrates clear, thoughtful and logical thinking.

In the Air Force, Dennis was asked to lead the team that dismantled Soviet nuclear missiles, bombers and submarines. He managed people and a large budget and made very vital and important decisions for our country.

Dennis is a proven leader. He can handle the pressures of governance while making the right decisions for us. I give my vote and support to David Dennis as Sedgwick County commissioner.

Support Masterson

Like many of my fellow millennials, I have seen my personal health insurance costs triple in the past few years under Obamacare, leaving little disposable income. Many of us have young families, lean budgets and huge student loan debts. Most of us cannot afford income or property tax increases.

My retired grandparents on fixed incomes certainly cannot afford to have more of their monthly income absorbed by taxes. How much more money does government need, and how are our lives better when taxes are increased and bureaucracies grow?

Government doesn’t need more of our money; it needs to spend less. We are all living on tight budgets and expect government at all levels and schools to do the same.

I appreciate and support the efforts of Sen. Ty Masterson, R-Andover, on my behalf in Topeka. He understands that when government grows, our paychecks shrink. He is always accessible and willing to listen, solve problems and hold the line on spending so we can keep more of our paychecks.

Vote for McGinn

We encourage your vote and support for Carolyn McGinn for Kansas Senate, District 31. McGinn has been in the Senate since 2005, faithfully and diligently representing the voters of the district.

She has been supportive of the school funding that the courts have consistently upheld. In a radically polarized Legislature, she has remained a coolheaded and moderate voice.

We are in full support of Carolyn McGinn and hope you join us in voting for her in the Aug. 2 primary.

Re-elect Walters

In the primary for Sedgwick County District Court judge in Division 14, the incumbent is the most qualified. J. Patrick Walters has served as a District Court judge for the past eight years. He is decisive, fair, seasoned, judicious and hardworking. Voters in Sedgwick County are fortunate to have such an eminently qualified candidate to re-elect.

On Aug. 2, the choice is clear. Voters will be well-served by re-electing J. Patrick Walters to the bench.

Letters deadline

Letters to the editor about the Aug. 2 primary must be received by 1 p.m. Thursday to be considered for publication.

This story was originally published July 24, 2016 at 12:04 AM with the headline "Letters on voting, Marshall, Huelskamp, Dennis, Masterson, McGinn."