Kansas gubernatorial candidates talk about state of race
Candidates narrow focus as race becomes clearer
Candidates narrow focus as race becomes clearer
Candidates narrow focus as race becomes clearer
Wednesday afternoon, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach stepped toward a microphone at the south steps of the state Capitol building.
“The race is on,” he said.
Kobach, who narrowly defeated incumbent Gov. Jeff Colyer in the GOP primary race for Kansas governor after Colyer’s concession Tuesday evening, stood with his family and a few dozen supporters looking ahead to the November general election.
With such a narrow primary victory over Colyer, was Kobach worried about unifying Kansas GOP voters?
“I’m always worried about keeping our Republican party unified and that’s been the Democrats strategy for success again and again in the past,” Kobach said. “When Republicans are unified, we win in statewide elections.”
Kobach, touting President Donald Trump’s endorsement during his press conference, thanked Colyer for his concession and support.
“That’s why Governor Colyer’s gesture and decision last night was so important for Republicans because that allows us to unify and to stand for the principles we believe in,” he said.
About 10 minutes away, and later Wednesday afternoon, one of Kobach’s general election opponents, Democratic State Sen. Laura Kelly, stood with campaign workers in her office as she talked about Kobach’s chances to unify GOP voters.
“I believe as we go forward that we will see a number of the moderate Republicans shifting their allegiance to my campaign,” the four-term state senator said.
Kelly won the Democratic primary by a wide margin. She now must employ a tactical multi-opponent strategy to defeat Kobach, Independent businessman Greg Orman, and Libertarian Jeff Caldwell in November.
“I’ve been on the front lines for the past eight years watching the devastation of this state. I know where the problems are and I know how to get ‘em fixed, and I’ve got the relationships to do that,” Kelly said.
Orman, an Olathe businessman, submitted signatures earlier this month to gain access to the November ballot to run as an Independent candidate for governor. Wednesday, he mentioned his 2014 bid for the U.S. Senate -- he ultimately lost to U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts.
“In 2014, 43 percent of Kansans chose to vote for me in the Senate race,” Orman said. “I think we've seen that people have grown even more discontent with what's going on, both in Washington, D.C. and in Topeka.”
Jeff Caldwell, the Libertarian candidate for Kansas Governor, also talked about his candidacy Wednesday.
“I am the one candidate that can pull from the right. And pull from the moderates. Pull from the lefts. And the Independents. I have the ability to pull from most Kansans in this state,” Caldwell said.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.