Print
E-mail
Rate
Jilka would work for real solutions in Congress
Veteran Kansas legislator Dan Johnson, a Hays Republican and staunch Jerry Moran supporter, has had the courage to cross party lines and publicly endorse a Democrat in the race for the U.S. House seat that represents Marshall County and 68 other counties.
Johnson, past chairman of the Kansas House Agriculture Committee, recently put his name on the list of backers for Salina businessman Alan Jilka, the Democrat running to represent the Big First District.
Johnson’s action could be a sign that moderate Republicans won’t vote for their own party’s candidate, Tim Huelskamp, one of the Kansas Legislature’s most conservative members.
Huelskamp won this summer’s crowded primary with only about a third of his party’s vote.
Jilka, who had no primary opponents, says he wants to go to Washington and work with both parties to get things done for Kansas. He has a record as an effective three-term mayor for Salina.
Huelskamp, on the other hand, has struggled mightily for years in the Kansas Senate to accomplish much, often refusing to cooperate with either party.
During his administration, Gov. Bill Graves watched as Huelskamp fought the state’s 1999 transportation funding bill — vital to maintain Kansas’ premier highway system — but then showed up to have his photo taken with Graves signing the bill into law.
Expect the same type of behavior if Huelskamp heads to Congress. The Big First’s communities depend heavily on federal farm payments and Medicare support to keep rural hospitals open. But Huelskamp has accepted the endorsement of Club for Growth, a national special interest group that seeks to cut farm programs and other vital support such as Medicare.
Both Huelskamp and Jilka oppose abortion rights and that’s about where their similarities end.
If Kansas wants the effectiveness it had in the U.S. House with Bob Dole, Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran, Big First voters should look to Jilka. He is far more likely to listen to constituents and cross the aisle to build real solutions.
With Huelskamp, prepare for more gridlock.
Johnson, past chairman of the Kansas House Agriculture Committee, recently put his name on the list of backers for Salina businessman Alan Jilka, the Democrat running to represent the Big First District.
Johnson’s action could be a sign that moderate Republicans won’t vote for their own party’s candidate, Tim Huelskamp, one of the Kansas Legislature’s most conservative members.
Huelskamp won this summer’s crowded primary with only about a third of his party’s vote.
Jilka, who had no primary opponents, says he wants to go to Washington and work with both parties to get things done for Kansas. He has a record as an effective three-term mayor for Salina.
Huelskamp, on the other hand, has struggled mightily for years in the Kansas Senate to accomplish much, often refusing to cooperate with either party.
During his administration, Gov. Bill Graves watched as Huelskamp fought the state’s 1999 transportation funding bill — vital to maintain Kansas’ premier highway system — but then showed up to have his photo taken with Graves signing the bill into law.
Expect the same type of behavior if Huelskamp heads to Congress. The Big First’s communities depend heavily on federal farm payments and Medicare support to keep rural hospitals open. But Huelskamp has accepted the endorsement of Club for Growth, a national special interest group that seeks to cut farm programs and other vital support such as Medicare.
Both Huelskamp and Jilka oppose abortion rights and that’s about where their similarities end.
If Kansas wants the effectiveness it had in the U.S. House with Bob Dole, Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran, Big First voters should look to Jilka. He is far more likely to listen to constituents and cross the aisle to build real solutions.
With Huelskamp, prepare for more gridlock.
 |
 |
|
| It's difficult to speak English in England | A fond (?) farewell |
