Kobach’s politicking and job don’t mix

When Secretary of State Kris Kobach nixed Democrat Chad Taylor’s attempt to get off the November ballot as Sen. Pat Roberts’ challenger, Kansans saw another example of why it’s best for a secretary of state to keep his distance from races other than his own. Kobach is on Roberts’ honorary campaign committee, and his decision had the appearance of favoring Roberts by ensuring the anti-Roberts vote would be split between Taylor and well-funded independent Greg Orman. Kobach also continues to maintain his Prairie Fire political action committee, which was involved in three House races in last month’s primary. A Senate-passed bill by Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, to bar the secretary of state from having a PAC deserves revival next session. As Hensley recently told the Topeka Capital-Journal: “The chief election officer is supposed to be fair and unbiased.” – Rhonda Holman

This story was originally published September 5, 2014 at 2:14 PM with the headline "Kobach’s politicking and job don’t mix."