Rochelle Chronister, who spearheads an organization known as Traditional Republicans for Common Sense, contends that Brownback has been covertly endorsing conservative candidates in an attempt to prevent moderate Republicans from earning seats in the Kansas Senate.
Boasting more than 50 ?traditional? Republican former legislators from across the state ? including former U.S. Rep. Jan Meyers, Overland Park, Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer, Overland Park, and Sen. Wint Winter, Jr., Ottawa. ? the organization said it?s time for Brownback to ?come clean to Kansans over primary election endorsements.?
?It?s astonishing to see a governor who is more interested in politics than policy; more interested in elections than governing,? Chronister, former Kansas assistant majority leader and state chair of the Republican party, said. ?Gov. Brownback may want a rubber-stamp majority in the legislature, but I think Kansans will have something to say about that on Election Day. Kansans want their elected officials to do what?s best for their communities, their schools, the elderly and their children.???
One potential Brownback endorsement has appeared in The Herald?s classified section since Tuesday. The ad, paid for by Caryn Tyson for Kansas Senate, encourages residents to attend a fundraiser for the candidate that includes a special appearance by Brownback. Tyson, Parker, is facing John Coen, Wellsville, in the Republican primary.
The governor has not released an official list of endorsements, but issued a statement late this week on his rationale for pre-primary support of certain candidates.
?Because of the alliance in the state Senate between Democrats and some Republicans that join together to promote a Democrat agenda, the primary election has effectively become the general. Therefore, I am going to be involved in a limited number of primaries,? Brownback said, according to media reports.
Traditional Republicans for Common Sense has been a vocal opponent of Brownback, as well as the tax plan he recently signed into law. Critics of the tax plan claim it will create huge budgetary shortfalls in the coming years, in addition to its tax cuts benefiting only the wealthiest Kansans. The Legislature?s research staff estimates the plan?s tax cuts will lead to a budgetary lapse that could grow to $2.5 billion by 2018.
?The administration can try to change the faces in the legislature, but it won?t change the fact that his policies have been one expensive failure after the next,? Chronister said. ?The administration may be focused on 2012, but Kansans are already starting to look to 2014 because we need a state government that is thoughtful, responsible and responsive to the concerns of everyday Kansans ? not political, special interest groups.?
Brownback?s efforts to eliminate moderate Republicans also have drawn scrutiny from former Kansas Gov. Bill Graves. Graves is set to visit Johnson County to raise funds for five Republican moderates in the county including state Sen. Tim Owens, state Rep. Kay Wolf and state Rep. Pat Colloton, who each are vying for seats in the Kansas Senate.
Kansas? primary elections are set for Aug. 7, which will be followed by the general election Nov. 6. Voters must either be registered as a Republican or Democrat to be eligible to cast a ballot during the primary election. ?
The last day to register to vote or to change party affiliations is Tuesday.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.