Kansas Senate Democratic Caucus

Ben Poteete to challenge Dan Kerschen for the 26th district in the Kansas Senate

Former Paratrooper, Friends University graduate student, 

running for District 26 Senate Seat

Goddard – Ben Poteete, a former Paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne Division, Goddard High Grad, and Friends University graduate student, filed today to challenge Dan Kerschen for the 26th district in the Kansas Senate.

“I am extremely disappointed with the path the state is on,” said Poteete. “I didn’t serve in the U.S. Army and go overseas just to come back to the mess my generation is inheriting. It is time to provide real solutions for all Kansans, not make more problems by continuing to have a Legislature notorious for rubber stamping an irresponsible agenda.”

As a lifelong Kansan, Poteete has concerns about the future of public education and the state as a whole.

“The budget has been mismanaged for long enough,” said Poteete. “Children are being robbed of a good education, road projects are being delayed because of a drained highway fund, and correctional officers and mental health workers are being overworked and underpaid.”

Poteete is married to a Wichita Public School teacher and has a fifth grader in Wichita Public Schools. Poteete recently left his job as a Geographer for the Department of Interior to focus on his campaign. He plans to graduate from Friends University with a Master’s degree in International Business. More information about him can be found at www.benpoteete.com.

###

Johnston to challenge Tyson for Kansas Senate

Johnston to challenge Tyson for Kansas Senate

TOPEKA – Chris Johnston, of Ottawa, filed today with the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office to run for the Senate’s 12th District, which includes Anderson, Franklin, and Linn counties along with portions of Allen, Bourbon, and Miami counties.

“I am very unhappy with the path Gov. Brownback and his allies like Senator Tyson have our state on,” said Johnston. “We need a Kansas that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected. I want to be the voice of average Kansans from District 12 and all across the state.”

Johnston has called Kansas home for more than half his life. He currently owns a small business specializing in helping small, rural businesses with electronic marketing. Prior to starting his own business, he worked in sales and sales training.

“From my experience working with rural small businesses and working in sales, I have seen the impact of the votes cast in Topeka,” said Johnston. “Thanks to the rubber stamping legislature, Kansas has the highest sales tax on food in the country, our schools are inadequately funded, and essential state services, like those provided by Osawatomie State Hospital, are being compromised.”

In addition to fighting for sustainable economic policies and adequate funding for schools, Johnston plans to advocate for access to healthcare and a continued separation of powers with fair courts.

“I will work tirelessly for common sense solutions that strengthen our district and our state,” said Johnston. “It’s time to take Kansas back for Kansans.”

Johnston and his wife, Rhonda, have lived in Ottawa for more than a decade. He has two adult children.

###

Susan Fowler files for the 17th Senate District

News Release For More Information, Contact:

May 12, 2016   Susan Fowler, 620-366-1316

Susan Fowler files for the 17th Senate District

TOPEKA – Susan Fowler, of Emporia, filed Wednesday with the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office for the Senate’s 17th District, which includes Lyon county and portions of Geary, Pottawatomie, and Wabaunsee counties. The seat is currently held by Jeff Longbine, Emporia.

“The people of the 17th district deserve to be represented by someone who stands by their word,” said Fowler. “My opponent has been quoted extensively on how bad the budget bill is, but he voted for it anyway. He talks tough, but votes weak.”

Fowler is a sixth generation Kansan who has lived in the district most of her life. She believes it is past time for the state to be returned to the people.

“So long as the Legislature is made up of rubber stampers of a reckless agenda, what Kansans truly want and need will be ignored,” said Fowler. “It’s time to focus, once again, on the priorities our state was founded on – education, taking care of your neighbors, and a fair and sustainable taxation system.”

Fowler is an information management consultant who runs her own business. She is married to Bob Grover. The two live in her grandparents’ home on farmland that has been in the Fowler family since 1855.

# # #

Senator Pat Pettey files for second term in Kansas Senate

Pettey files for second term

in Kansas Senate

TOPEKA – Senator Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City, announced today that she has filed with the Kansas Secretary of State for a second term serving the Senate’s 6th District.  Pettey was first elected in 2012.

“It is an honor to serve the people of the 6th District in the Kansas Senate,” said Pettey. “I am deeply concerned for the future of our state, and I will continue to work tirelessly for adequate funding for quality education, to reduce the tax burden on families, to maintain critical services for Kansans, and to protect local control.”

Senator Pettey retired from the Turner school district in 2006 after 36 years of teaching. She serves on the Senate Education Committee where she has been a strong advocate for education of all levels – from early childhood to post-secondary and career training programs.

“My colleagues in the Kansas legislature regularly talk about the importance of public education, but when it comes time to pass legislation to adequately fund our schools, they push unnecessary, unvetted, and new education policy that does more harm than good,” said Pettey. “I remain committed to ensuring all Kansas children receive the best education possible and Kansas teachers receive the respect they deserve and are allowed to do the job they’ve been licensed to do.”

As a 30+ years member of the Kansas National Education Association, Senator Pettey knows the value of a hard day’s work and understands the challenges working Kansans face regularly as a result of the current administration. Senator Pettey has been a vocal opponent to changes in worker’s compensation, unemployment benefits, prevailing wage, and due process rights.

“I will continue to be a strong voice for common sense policies that invest in middle-class, hardworking Kansans to strengthen our state,” said Pettey.

Senator Pettey served as a Unified Government Commissioner for 14 years. She remains a dedicated supporter of local control by introducing or amending legislation to ensure decisions can be made locally and to prevent unfunded mandates on local government.

“I believe in legislation that allows locally elected leaders to make decisions based on what is best and safest for the citizens within their communities,” said Pettey. “I also believe the state has a responsibility to help local governments with funding mandated programs.”

Senator Pettey serves as the ranking Democrat on the Transportation and Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committees. She also serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee; Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight; the Joint Committee on Kansas Security; and, the Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations.

She and her husband, John, have two daughters, four grandsons, and one granddaughter.

# # #

Hawk seeks second term in the Kansas Senate

TOM HAWK

FOR KANSAS SENATE

News Release For More Information, Contact:

January 7, 2016 Tom Hawk, (785) 341-4162

Hawk seeks second term in the Kansas Senate

TOPEKA – Senator Tom Hawk, of Manhattan, today filed with the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office for re-election to the Senate’s 22nd District, which includes Riley and Clay counties along with a portion of Geary County.  Hawk was first elected to the Kansas Senate in 2012, and previously served three terms in the Kansas House of Representatives.

“It is a privilege to serve the people of the 22nd district in the Kansas Senate,” said Hawk. “During my time in the Kansas Legislature, I have worked hard to protect public education, expand opportunities for small businesses and agriculture, and support our military.”

Senator Hawk spent 33 years in the Manhattan-Ogden school district. He began his career as a junior high math teacher before becoming a curriculum director, and ending as superintendent.

“One of my top priorities continues to be education,” said Hawk. “Unfortunately, the mismanagement of the state budget has resulted in massive cuts to our schools. We have seen them at all levels – from K-12 to early childhood and higher education – for the sake of irresponsible economic policies. I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure K-12 education is adequately and equitably funded and support policies that promote learning opportunities from pre-K through secondary education and technical programs.”

In addition to his education career, Sen. Hawk is a local business person. He has owned and operated Tom Hawk Photography for 40 years.

“As a small business owner, I understand the challenges of running a successful business,” said Hawk. “I also know that a successful business requires a stable economy and sound infrastructure. That is why I will continue to be a strong voice for common sense policies that create a Kansas economy that works for its hardworking families.”

Sen. Hawk is married to Diane DeNoon, a KSU instructor for Elementary Education.  Together they have four adult children and four grandchildren.

# # # 

Paid for by The Senate Democrats Committee, Cory Sheedy, Treasurer.