Incumbent District Attorney Suzanne Valdez is facing two Democratic challengers in the primary election on Aug. 6, Wyandotte County prosecutor Tonda Hill and Baldwin City prosecutor and
Lawrence defense attorney Dakota Loomis. Whoever wins the primary will face Republican candidate Mike Warner, a former federal prosecutor, in the general election in November.
The deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 6 primary is Tuesday, July 16, and advance voting begins the next day, Wednesday, July 17. July 30 is the last day to apply for an advance voting mail ballot.
In-person advance voting ends at noon on Monday, Aug. 5, and polling places will be open on the day of the election, Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All mail ballots must be postmarked by election day and received by Friday, Aug. 9, in order to be counted. There are several ballot drop box locations in Douglas County, including the Douglas County Courthouse, the Douglas County Elections Office at 711 W. 23rd St., and the Baldwin City, Eudora and Lecompton city halls. For more information about advance voting and polling places generally, visit the Douglas County elections website at dgcoks.gov/elections.
Profiles by Chad Lawhorn l clawhorn@ljworld.com
The districts are newly redrawn for this year’s state House and Senate races, and those in Douglas County include a three-way contest to replace a retired incumbent in the House and a Senate race between two current legislators, Sen. Marci Francisco and Rep. Christina Haswood. More on these races is on page 7A.
Profiles by Josie Heimsoth l l l jheimsoth@ljworld.com
Douglas County Commission is expanding from three seats to five, and four of those seats are up for election this year. All four have primaries in August, with two Republicans facing off in District 3, and two Democrats in each of the other districts. A closer look at each of these races is on page 5A.
By Jill Colvin, Colleen Long, Julie Carr Smyth, Michael Balsamo, Eric Tucker and Michelle L. Price Associated Press
Butler, Pa. — Donald Trump appeared to be the target of an assassination attempt as he spoke during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, law enforcement officials said. The former president, his ear covered in blood from what he said was a gunshot, was quickly pulled away by Secret Service agents and his campaign said he was “fine.” A local prosecutor said the suspected gunman and at least one attendee
are dead. The Secret Service said two spectators were critically injured. Posting on his Truth Social media site about two and a half hours after the shooting, Trump said a bullet “pierced the upper part of my right ear.”
> TRUMP, 10A
Journal-World obituary policy: For information about running obituaries, call 8327151. Obituaries run as submitted by funeral homes or the families of the deceased.
DR CHARLES E "CHUCK" HAINES, JR
Dr Charles E “Chuck” Haines, Jr (December 13, 1948 – July 9, 2024) of Lawrence Kansas passed away peacefully at the Olathe Health Hospice House comforted by his devoted wife Dr Joyce Haines and stepdaughter Deanna Laing Van Auken
Close survivors include his soninlaw Joseph Van Auken; friend Dr Gary Minden; and countless mentees who he inspired throughout his 30year career as a professor of biological and natural sciences at Kansas University and Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence Other survivors include son Josh Haines and Chuck’s siblings (Sandy Howell Diane Leckenby, Billie Howard, Janice Carmack, and Bill Haines) Chuck s multidisciplinary expertise ranged from scientif ic research in the f ields of environmental toxicology ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology to lepidoptery, gemology, classical and contemporary f iction, art and color theory, world religions and much more He participated in a conference at London’s Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, contributed to college biology texts and authored a f ield guide to Native American medicinal plants numerous scientif ic monographs, and two short science f iction plays ( The Green Computer and “The Seven Sisters”)
A Colorado mountain climber (Long s Peak) and naturalist, Chuck was named “Environmentalist of the Year by the Kansas Land Trust Whether roaming the Haskell Wetlands, gazing at the waterfalls of Cornell University campus snorkeling in the Dry Tortugas, salmon f ishing in the Bering Strait or whale watching in Kauai, Chuck delighted in the miracles of nature capturing its wonder through microphotography Equally at home in the Library of Congress and small museums Chuck was especially thrilled by Granada’s Alhambra
gardens and Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum After earning a doctoral degree in Microbiology in 1994 under the direction of Dr Del Shankel, Chuck’s many forms of public service included work as Coordinator of the Governor’s Task Force on AIDS in Kansas (1988), CoFounder of Haskell’s Wetlands Preservation Organization, and Project Director for numerous federal grants most notably a National Science Award to create Haskell’s Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Laboratory In addition to the f ield trips that he led through wetlands, buffalo wallows, science libraries and museums, Haskell students loved Dr Haines’ Valentine’s Day Chocolate Labs where he taught them to grind Mayan chocolate
A quiet, gentle, humble man with insatiable curiosity one who hid his increasingly severe physical pains and preferred to work behind the scenes on behalf of others Chuck leaves behind a legacy of stewardship
To quote Vladimir Nabokov Chuck’s spirit is free at last up the shining road, which one could make out narrowing to a thread of gold in the soft mist where hill after hill made beauty of distance, and where there was simply no saying what miracle might happen
A private celebration of life is planned for the Fall Equinox In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Doctors Without Borders, World Central Kitchen, World Wildlife Fund or simply sowing seeds for a new butterfly garden
Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries LJWorld com
1035 N. Third St., Suite 101-B, Lawrence, KS 66044 • 785-843-1000 ljworld.com
Kim Callahan, managing editor 832-7148, kcallahan@ljworld.com
Tait, advertising director 832-7248, atait@ljworld.com
Greenstein, sports editor 832-7227,
OTHER CONTACTS Chad Lawhorn, editor and publisher 832-6362, clawhorn@ljworld.com
Classified advertising: 832-2222 or ljworld.com/classifieds
CALL US
SUBSCRIPTIONS: 832-7199; subs@ljworld.com Manage your subscription online: subscribe.ljworld.com For billing, vacation or delivery questions, call 832-7199. Weekday: 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Weekends: 6 a.m.-10 a.m. In-town redelivery: 6 a.m.-10 a.m.
or cancellation of subscription. Prepaid subscriptions can be converted to a digital-only subscription at subscriber's request.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Lawrence Journal-World, P.O. Box 888, Lawrence, KS 66044-0888 (USPS 306-520) Periodicals postage paid at Lawrence, Kan. Member of Alliance for Audited Media Member of The Associated Press
Beverly Hix was born in rural Skidmore Missouri on July 24, 1939, the only daughter of Elmer and Alberta (Bowman) Lawson Beverly was raised there on the family farm with an older brother, Lloyd and later two younger brothers Ed and Chris She attended the old Lorraine school in Nodaway County and spoke many times of happy friendships and memories made there
On October 8 1956
Beverly married Jerry M Hix and they made their home in Boonville and Pilot Grove, MO later moving to Overbrook KS to be near their only child
Shandy Jerry predeceased
Beverly on December 18 1996
Beverly was a creative, fun and bright person
Beverly had fondness for nature and all creatures living in it She was dedicated to feeding wild birds, rabbits and squirrels even braving the worst winter storms to make sure her critters had something to eat and drink
Beverly was an extraordinarily talented porcelain artist and won many ribbons at the Missouri State Fair Friends and family have beautiful pieces that she lovingly hand painted
Beverly was creative in other ways too, always keeping a beautiful yard and home She was happiest doing anything outdoors and was always willing to pitch in and help a friend in need
Later in life her favorite things were spending time with her daughter and family working in her
yard tending to her flower gardens and taking long walks
Beverly will live on in the memories of her daughter Shandy (Hix) Vollrath and soninlaw Kevin Vollrath of Lawrence, KS She is also survived by granddaughters Catherine Vollrath and Caroline Vollrath of Seattle WA a brother Chris Lawson of Centralia, MO, longtime friend Craig Gillard of Overbrook KS and many loved ones and friends Predeceasing Beverly were her husband of 40 years, Jerry M Hix, her parents Elmer and Alberta (Bowman) Lawson and brothers Lloyd Lawson and Ed Lawson
Friends are invited to say a f inal goodbye to Beverly at PageDady Funeral Home in Pilot Grove Missouri on Monday, July 15 Visitation will start at 1:00 pm to be followed by a short service at 2:00 pm In lieu of flowers, because Beverly loved animals so much, a donation to the Lawrence Humane Society Lawrence KS in her honor is appreciated
Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries LJWorld com
Please join the family of Sidney Roedel (19352024) for a Celebration of Life and all things Sidney We will be gathering at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lawrence, 1263 North 1100 Road, from 9:30AM 11:30AM Monday July 22nd Please come grab the microphone and share your memories stories and cleanish jokes with family and friends Feel free to dress how you
please but no swimsuits We have to draw the line somewhere We will have light refreshments for folks who want to nibble Please send pictures we can include in a slide show during the celebration Please RSVP to ethanroedel@gmail com We look forward to seeing you!
Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries LJWorld com
A Funeral Mass for Kay Louise Hamilton, 77, of Lawrence will be 10am Sat July 20 2024 at The Cathedral of Our Lady Guadalupe in Dodge City, KS She died Sun July 7, 2024 rumseyyost com
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
The Journal-World asked the Democratic candidates a number of questions, including how they would go about making charging decisions, what factors play a role in making plea deals, what specific skills they would bring to the role, how they would promote community trust and more. Here’s a look at their answers, listed by candidate in alphabetical order. Please note that the Journal-World asked the candidates to limit their responses to 150 words; where they exceeded that amount, we have edited their answers for length.
Tonda Hill l A brief description of your educational and professional background: I have a bachelor’s and Master of Science degree in education from KU. I graduated from KU Law in 2012. My entire professional career has been devoted to public service. I provided residential care for individuals with significant cognitive and developmental challenges at Community Living Opportunity in Lawrence. I taught at-risk students in an alternative high school setting in Leavenworth, working to disrupt the school to prison pipeline. I recruited applicants to diversify the student body at KU Law. I was a deputy public defender in Shawnee County and currently I am an assistant district attorney in Wyandotte County. Additionally, I recently attended the 19th Annual Conference on Crimes Against Women because I believe it’s important to stay current on best practices.
l What would be your top consideration in deciding whether to charge someone with a crime? My top consideration is ensuring fairness and impartiality by meticulously evaluating evidence, consistently applying the law and seeking sentences that consider both the severity of the offense and mitigating factors. I will prioritize prosecuting crimes that threaten public safety, particularly those involving
violence and firearm usage, while advocating for alternatives to incarceration because prisons should be reserved for violent offenders. While marijuana possession is illegal, I will exercise discretion in cases involving possession, considering alternatives like dismissals, diversion programs and plea bargains. This approach balances public safety with a more nuanced assessment of individual cases, while maintaining integrity.
l What main factors would play into your decision to enter into a plea deal with a criminal defendant? The evidence, severity level of the charge, previous encounters with the criminal legal system and input from the victims are factors that I would use to decide whether to enter into plea agreements. I believe that the sentence should reflect the degree of harm, so crimes that involve violence or the use of a firearm would not be diverted to probation without substantial and compelling reasons to depart from the original presumed sentence. Additionally, cases that involve registering as a sex or violent offender generally would not be pled to other crimes that avoid the registration requirements. While each case would be reviewed on its own merits, I would establish clear policies to ensure consistent and fair plea agreements, promoting impartiality and fairness for the benefit of everyone.
l What specific skills would you bring to this role? I know how to effectively manage an office that enforces the laws to keep the community safe. As a deputy public defender, I co-managed an office of five attorneys and four staff. I participated in the hiring, firing, training and evaluating of personnel. I also mentored less experienced attorneys, while maintaining a high caseload. I prosecute a wide variety of crimes, but I have specialized in prosecuting sexual assault. Because I have tried over 40 cases as a defense attorney or prosecutor, I know how to monitor and train other attorneys to provide competent representation.
By Autumn Bishop
It never fails. You get home from an appointment with your doctor and it dawns on you that there’s one question you forgot to ask. You can’t always pick up the phone and reach them, so what should you do? If you’re a patient at LMH Health, use My Patient Portal.
“My Patient Portal is a secure site that allows you
to access and manage your health information and contact your providers from any device with an internet connection at the click of a button,” said Michael Williams, vice president and chief information officer at LMH Health. My Patient Portal allows patients to: l View lab and imaging results l View visit notes, summaries and vaccination records l View appointments l Request medication refills
l Securely message your doctor 24/7
If you’re a patient at LMH Health or one of our clinics and are 18 or older, you are eligible to have a My Patient Portal account. Parents can also register their children who are younger than age 18. If your current email is on file at LMH Health, you can register for a My Patient Portal account at lmh.org/portal. If you’re not sure, contact Medical Records at 785-505-3093 or email
medicalrecords@lmh.org for help.
When should I send a message through the portal?
There are times that it makes sense for you to message your doctor through My Patient Portal. It’s appropriate to share information they requested, such as blood sugar or blood pressure readings, or asking a question about a medication that you’re taking using the portal.
While sending a message to your doctor through a contact form on the LMH website or through Facebook messenger may be fast, those aren’t ways you should share your personal health information. Messaging your provider through the portal is secure, easy and available 24/7. You can expect a response within one business day. If you send a message over a holiday or during the weekend, you likely won’t hear back until the following business day.
And while you can use it to ask other questions that don’t need immediate attention, it’s important to remember that the portal isn’t right in every situation.
“Call your doctor instead of using the portal if you need an appointment the same day or you need to cancel or reschedule one,” Williams said. “And if you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or head to the emergency department.”
When the sun’s hot enough, don’t get burned by meds, too
By Carla K. Johnson Associated Press
Extreme heat can raise the danger of heat-related illnesses and threaten health in a more subtle way — by amplifying the side effects of many common medications. Hot weather, too, can damage medicines such as insulin that require refrigeration. Inhalers can explode. Epinephrine injectors such as EpiPens can malfunction. Meds delivered in the mail can deteriorate.
A look at common problems and solutions related to heat and medicine:
Which medicines could cause problems in the heat?
Blood pressure pills that reduce fluid in the blood can lead to dehydration. Beta blockers for heart conditions can decrease blood flow to the skin and make you less aware of dangerous heat.
Some antidepressants can hinder your ability to stay cool. Aspirin and other overthe-counter pain relievers decrease fluid and sodium levels, making it harder to deal with high temperatures.
On top of that, the combination of heat and drug side effects can lead to lightheadedness and falls. Alcohol increases the danger, said pharmacist Bradley Phillips of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy.
in special packaging with ice packs and temperature monitors.
But that doesn’t always happen. Or a delivery can come at a bad time, said Ren, who recently helped his vacationing mother by bringing her delivery of supplements into her Houston home as the region faced soaring heat.
“If you know you’re going to be at work all day, or if you’re on vacation, and you get medications delivered, you definitely don’t want that sitting outside in the hot 100-degree sun,” Ren said. If you think your mail-order medication has been damaged by the heat, call the pharmacy to report the problem.
Is more research needed?
Or talk to your doctor or pharmacist, Phillips said. Ask about how much water you should be drinking if you’re on medications that increase dehydration.
He recommends staying hydrated and “not relying on your body’s ability to tell you that you’re thirsty.”
Some medicines — antibiotics, antifungals and acne drugs — can heighten sensitivity to the sun, causing rashes and sunburns. If you’re taking them, stay under an umbrella or wear sun-protective fabrics and sunscreen,
You can learn more about your medications’ side effects and storage requirements at the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus website.
said Dr. Mike Ren, a family physician at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
“You might be on antibiotics, not think too much of it, go down to the beach and then come back with a whopping sunburn,” Ren said.
How should medications be stored for travel?
Medication generally should be kept in a cool, dry place, unless it needs refrigeration. That can be challenging while traveling.
Before a summer road trip, check labels for the storage requirements of your meds. Carry medicine in a cooler
when traveling by car, even if it doesn’t require refrigeration.
The car’s trunk or glove box could get too hot for even room temperature storage.
Traveling by plane? It’s always best to keep medications in your carry-on bag in case your checked luggage is delayed or lost, and it can get too cold in the cargo hold.
What about prescriptions delivered by mail?
Mail-order pharmacies are responsible for keeping your drugs at safe temperatures during storage and transit. The best practice is to ship sensitive medicine
Yes. Researchers in the U.S. and Australia say some of the common warnings about heat and drugs don’t have a lot of scientific evidence behind them. Ollie Jay at the University of Sydney found backing for only four of the 11 medication categories that the World Health Organization lists as concerns with high heat. He suggests changing behavior, not medications, like staying out of the heat. “Be a bit more cautious,” he said.
Dr. Renee Salas, an emergency room physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, said as climate change accelerates, there’s a need to know which medicines are the riskiest in the heat.
“We don’t have that answer yet, and it’s one that we need to rapidly figure out,” Salas said.
By Colleen Long and Amelia Thomson-Deveaux Associated Press
Washington — Relatively few Americans fully endorse the idea that a fertilized egg should have the same rights as a pregnant woman. But a significant share say it describes their views at least somewhat well, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
The new survey comes as questions grow around reproductive health access in the continued fallout from the decision by the Supreme Court to end federal abortion protections. The poll found that a solid majority of Americans oppose a federal abortion ban as a rising number support access to abortions for any reason.
But anti-abortion advocates are increasingly pushing for broader measures that would give rights and protections to embryos and fetuses, which could have massive implications for fertility treatments and other areas of health care.
The poll suggests that when it comes to more
‘‘ And IVF, I mean, for years, it’s saved a lot of people grief — because they want to have a child. Why would you want to limit this for people?”
— John Evangelista
nuanced questions about issues like in vitro fertilization, or IVF — which may be affected by the restrictive climate in some states, even though they were not previously considered as part of “abortion” — there is general support for reproductive health protections. But the poll also shows some uncertainty, as Americans are faced with situations that would not have arisen before Roe v. Wade was overturned.
According to the poll, about 6 in 10 U.S. adults support protecting access to IVF, a type of fertility treatment where eggs are combined with sperm outside the body in a lab to form an embryo. Views on banning the destruction of embryos created through IVF are less developed, with 4 in 10 adults expressing a neutral opinion.
“I believe that it’s a woman’s right to determine what she wants to
your device. These notifications are made possible through LMH’s partnership with Notable Health.
do with her pregnancy, and she should be cared for. There should be no question about that,” said John Evangelista, 73. “And IVF, I mean, for years, it’s saved a lot of people grief — because they want to have a child. Why would you want to limit this for people?”
Earlier this year, Alabama’s largest hospital paused in vitro fertilization treatments, following a court ruling that said frozen embryos are the legal equivalent of children. Not long after, the governor signed legislation shielding doctors from potential legal liability in order to restart procedures in the state.
But the political damage was done. Democrats routinely cite IVF concerns as part of a larger problem where women in some states are getting worse medical care since the fall of Roe. They link delayed IVF care to cases in states with abortion
restrictions, where women must wait until they are very sick in order to get care. Democrats say these issues show how GOP efforts to overturn Roe have profoundly affected all facets of reproductive care.
On the other hand, protections for IVF are supported by Americans across the political spectrum: About threequarters of Democrats and 56% of Republicans favor preserving access to IVF, while about 4 in 10 independents are in favor and just under half, 46%, neither favor nor oppose protecting access. For some, their views have been shaped by personal experience with the procedure.
“I’m about to go through IVF right now, and you’re trying to get as many embryos as you can so you can have more chances at having one live birth, or more than that, if you’re lucky,” said Alexa Voloscenko, 30. “I just don’t want people to be having more trouble to access IVF; it’s already hard enough.”
But the poll found that about 3 in 10 Americans say that the statement
“human life begins at conception, so a fertilized egg is a person with the same rights as a pregnant woman” describes their views on abortion law and policy extremely or very well, while an additional 18% say it describes their views somewhat well. About half say the statement describes their views “not very well” or “not well at all.”
This view is in tension with some aspects of IVF care — in particular, fertility treatments where eggs are fertilized and develop into embryos in a lab. Sometimes, embryos are accidentally damaged or destroyed, and unused embryos may be discarded.
Republicans are about twice as likely as Democrats or independents to say that the statement about fertilized eggs having the same rights as a pregnant woman describes their views extremely or very well. About 4 in 10 Republicans say that compared with about 2 in 10 Democrats and independents. And views are less clear overall on a more specific aspect of policy related to IVF — making
it illegal to destroy embryos created during the process. One-quarter of U.S. adults somewhat or strongly favor banning the destruction of embryos created through IVF, while 4 in 10 have a neutral view and about one-third somewhat or strongly oppose it.
“Human life begins at a heartbeat,” said Steven Otey, 73, a Republican who doesn’t believe created embryos should be destroyed. “Embryos ... can become babies, we shouldn’t be destroying them.”
About 3 in 10 Republicans and roughly onequarter of Democrats favor banning the destruction of embryos created through IVF. Four in 10 Republicans — and nearly 6 in 10 independents — have a neutral view.
The poll of 1,088 adults was conducted June 2024 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probabilitybased AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points.
Streamline the experience
LMH Health has implemented additional technology to make your personal health care management simpler. If you’re a patient, you may have received a text or email allowing you to schedule an appointment right from
“Notable uses artificial intelligence (AI) to review electronic health records to determine where gaps exist,” Williams explained. “We then reach out to patients through text and email so they can schedule their recommended care with the click of a button.”
LMH Health is rolling out a new pre-registration
process with appointment reminders patients receive by email or text. If you receive a link from checkin.lmh.org, you can verify and update your information to save time when you arrive. When you receive a text or email to preregister online, you may be asked to upload your photo ID, such as your driver’s license. This safeguard helps to protect your confidential health information and
prevent insurance theft. It’s as easy as using your mobile phone to snap a photo of the front and back of your ID and clicking a button. Registering for your appointment using this technology isn’t a requirement. If you choose not to register online, you’ll need to complete the registration forms and provide your ID when you arrive at your appointment. “I recently used Notable for the first time to register
my son for an appointment with his primary care provider and it worked amazingly well,” said Rebecca Smith, vice president of strategy and communications and the executive director of the LMH Health Foundation. “The entire process was seamless.”
The health system will roll out additional features soon, including making it possible for you to make co-payments prior to your appointment and check in digitally
before entering the doors to the facility.
“We’re excited about these new advances on the horizon,” Williams said. “It’s important to us that you get great care from your providers and that we make it easy for you to be a patient and access your information.”
— Autumn Bishop is the marketing manager and content strategist at LMH Health, which is a sponsor of the Lawrence JournalWorld’s health section.
•
Forthousandsofyears,
Forthousandsofyears, Rubywasconsideredthe stoneoflove,energy, passion,power, andazestforlife.
Two current commissioners — one a Douglas County commissioner and the other a Lawrence city commissioner — are running against each other in the Democratic primary for Douglas County Commission District 2. The two candidates are incumbent Douglas County Commissioner Shannon Reid, who was elected in 2020, and Lawrence City Commissioner Lisa Larsen, who has served on the City Commission since 2015. Whichever one wins will be running unopposed in the general election in Douglas County District 2, which includes North Lawrence, the eastern Lawrence area around downtown, Grant Township and the portion of Wakarusa Township north of Lawrence.
Lisa Larsen Larsen has a background
In the largest Douglas County Commission district by geographic area, two Republicans will face each other in the August primary for a chance to run against the Democratic commission chair this fall.
The two Republicans in the Commission District 3 primary are John Landon and Pam McDermott; Landon has lived in rural Douglas County for over 30 years, and McDermott ran for the County Commission in 2020. The winner will face Commission Chair Karen Willey, the only Democrat to file for the seat, in November.
District 3 includes the western portion of Lawrence, the city of Lecompton and the entirety of five townships: Willow Springs, Marion, Clinton, Kanwaka and Lecompton.
In District 4, one of the newly created Douglas County Commission districts, a Democrat from Lawrence and another from the Eudora area are vying for a spot on the November general election ballot.
Gene Dorsey, who serves on the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center board of directors, and Mike Kelso, a member of the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission, are the two Democrats in the District 4 primary. Whoever wins will face two other candidates in November: Libertarian Steve Jacob and Republican Timothy Bruce. District 4 includes a small portion of southeastern Lawrence, Eudora and Eudora Township, and the small portion of Wakarusa Township located between Grant Township and the eastern edge of Lawrence.
Gene Dorsey
Dorsey, a retired financial controller and third-generation Kansan, was raised in Gardner and has been a
In a newly created County Commission district that covers the southern parts of the county, two Democrats are competing for a spot in this fall’s general election. The Democratic primary candidates in District 5 are Erica Anderson, whose background is in health care and public affairs, and Nicholas Matthews, a tutor with a political science background. The winner will face off against Libertarian Kirsten Kuhn and Republican Rich Lorenzo in the general election. District 5 includes a small portion of south Lawrence, southern Wakarusa Township, Baldwin City and Palmyra Township.
Erica Anderson Anderson currently works as a regulatory consultant on health equity
Profiles by Josie Heimsoth l jheimsoth@ljworld.com
as an environmental geologist, a business owner, a city commissioner and previous mayor of Lawrence. She is also a Kansas Supreme Court-approved mediator and one of the founders of a nonprofit center for conflict resolution, Building Peace. With her experience, Larsen said she wants to be a commissioner who shows up, listens to and learns from the community.
“I realize that I don’t have all the answers, and the
county commission needs people who are willing to question and learn,” Larsen told the Journal-World.
She has made it a priority to meet with members of the public to inform the decisions she makes on the public’s behalf. In her conflict resolution work, she has dealt with restorative justice issues involving youth in the court system and tenant/landlord mediation to keep people housed and their evictions off-record.
Regarding renewable energy initiatives, Larsen said that in her experience, community members have been in support of these projects. However, she thinks these new ideas need to be addressed through the lens of the city-county
John Landon Landon is a third-generation Douglas County resident who has had a passion for agriculture from an early age. He is the director of the Shawnee County Weed Department, where he spends his workdays helping farmers and residents take care of their land by educating them on noxious weeds and how to control them. Prior
to his work at the Weed Department, he was assistant operations manager for Douglas County Public Works.
Landon said the unique quality he would bring to the county commission is his familiarity with how local government operates. In particular, he said rural representation is important, and that he believes rural voices aren’t being heard by the current county commissioners. Two of the three current members of the commission live in Lawrence.
“I have always understood how agriculture and farming have impacted the lives of the whole
resident of Lawrence since 2005. He co-founded the Schwegler Neighborhood Association, served as its secretary for six years, and is currently the secretary and treasurer on the Bert Nash board.
Dorsey said his experience of taking care of his son, who died of heart failure in 2022, has given him insight into mental health issues and would help him be a better public servant.
“I know from experience how important it is to have a compassionate county,” Dorsey told the Journal-World. “But it’s also important to constantly evaluate the county’s investments in new programs
for social services to see whether they’re actually making a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable populations.”
In a response to a JournalWorld questionnaire, Dorsey mentioned two issues Douglas County needed to focus on: being transparent about pay for elected officials in accordance with state law, and spending more time on making budget decisions.
“Expanding to five commissioners will allow each to have more time to focus on details,” Dorsey said. “As a full-time commissioner, I will bring my expertise to the table.”
Mike Kelso
Kelso resides south of Eudora in rural Douglas County. He is a senior IT systems manager at Epiq and also serves on the LawrenceDouglas County Planning Commission.
> DISTRICT 4, 9A
and improving the Medicaid health care delivery system. She has also been an advocate for people who have experienced sexual assault and has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, Harvesters and the HeadQuarters suicide hotline.
Anderson said her background in public policy and community health would be beneficial to the commission, and that she
comprehensive plan, Plan 2040. The plan’s goals include improving quality of life in urban and rural areas, preserving community heritage and character, and creating unique places to live and work. Renewable energy is not mentioned once in Plan 2040, Larsen said.
In a response to a Journal-World questionnaire, Larsen said an issue Douglas County needed to focus on was lowering property taxes.
“The county commission has spent years transferring millions of leftover dollars from budgeted funds to non budgeted funds,” Larsen said. “These transferred dollars are an indication that the county’s property taxes are too high.”
Shannon Reid
Reid, the only incumbent county commissioner to face a primary challenger this
community far beyond just providing food to feed our families,” Landon told the Journal-World.
In a response to a Journal-World questionnaire, Landon said an issue Douglas County needs to focus on is balancing the budget at a time when many residents are struggling financially.
“The cost of everything has increased drastically except for wages and Social Security benefits for our retirees,” Landon said. “This has made it difficult for families to keep their farms and houses they were brought up in. We need to explore every option when creating a budget that maintains the same level of service, funds and infrastructure all while eliminating spending like
year, works as a court advocate for victims of domestic violence at The Willow Domestic Violence Center. She told the Journal-World that her career in social services and the education she has received in systems comes from growing up in poverty in Lawrence.
If Reid is reelected, she said, she will prioritize efforts to increase equity, access and opportunity across the community. She says it’s a core responsibility of the county government to help people access resources, whether those are emergency services, courts, housing or public health.
“All of those resources are also supported by a healthier natural environment, managed responsibly through robust land use regulations and (prioritize) protecting our ecology alongside our population,” Reid said.
remodeling the commission chambers.”
Pam McDermott McDermott has always been active in the community, whether it’s volunteering, working as a substitute teacher at the now-closed Kennedy Elementary School, participating in Leadership Lawrence, leading various projects and working fulltime at Morning Star Church since it opened in 1992.
“I have spent 30 years helping to build a community where individuals from every kind of background come together for something bigger than themselves,” McDermott told the Journal-World.
In terms of renewable energy initiatives, she said she is not in favor of utility-scale solar projects or
According to Reid, when it comes to renewable energy projects and resources, there is no right number that could or should operate in Douglas County. Reid said that although renewable energy projects provide good growth opportunities for the community as a whole, she would aim for fair and open processes that help the community weigh both the potential harms and benefits of each unique proposal.
In a response to a JournalWorld questionnaire, Reid said she’s proud of the progress made by Douglas County, and that the county could still do better in some areas.
“I’m invested in helping the county engage with the community more on solutions to critical issues of housing, treatment and resource access, issues that so many of our residents face barriers around,” Reid said.
industrial wind development in Douglas County. The panels do not belong on prime farmland simply because large companies want them there, McDermott said.
In a response to a Journal-World questionnaire, McDermott said an issue Douglas County needs to focus on is decreasing the tax burden on county residents. McDermott said she wants to build a citizendriven local government by listening to the people of Douglas County.
“The county has $195 million in cash on hand,” McDermott said. “As a taxpayer, I find that outrageous and unacceptable. We must address the budget and the property taxes and find ways to be more responsible with our resources.”
When you or someone you love needs urgent care, knowing where to go for the right care can be confusing. At LMH Health Primary Care, our clinics are close to home, work or school when you need us most.
For new patients, walk-in appointments are available for the following conditions:
Abdominal pain (mild)
Asthma (minor/moderate)
Back injuries
Cold and flu (cough,
hopes to bring her skills as a listener to the commission as well.
In terms of renewable energy, Anderson said the county has gone too long without proper representation of rural voices, and that it’s time for these residents to have a seat at the table. She said she supports the use of solar panels, especially since she has solar panels on her roof, but thinks the community deserves a say in these projects.
“As a county and a community we have to work to be inclusive of all voices across the county ... ” Anderson told the Journal-World.
> DISTRICT 5, 12A
Lawrence JournaL-worLd
To the editor:
My letter is in response to a letter dated July 3, with the title “Protect our democracy.” Republican candidates in Douglas County are emphasizing a focus on practical issues that affect the community rather than partisan rhetoric. I know this because I have spoken to them rather than launch baseless allegations as did the author of the letter I am addressing.
Concerns about public safety, improving government efficiency, tax policies and promoting responsible public finance are relevant to all residents regardless of political affiliation.
I am frustrated by Mr. Skepnek’s letter urging voters to dismiss Republican candidates solely based on party affiliation. Such blanket statements can oversimplify the diversity of opinions and priorities within any political group.
Ultimately, voters appreciate candidates who are transparent, responsive to community needs and committed to improving their lives. None of which seem to be the ambitions or motivation by the current city and county leadership. We have seen how the current political class in Douglas County allocates tax revenue, passes on prosecuting crime and is failing to educate our kids. Are these not concerns of Democratic voters as well? I would venture to guess, if you asked most citizens of Douglas County in good faith, they would agree.
Marianne Hoffman, Lawrence
To the editor:
A recent letter to the editor, “Voting Trump,” cited Trump-generated lies as reasons to vote for that courtdemonstrated liar, cheat, sexabuser and felon.
In response, here are some easily verifiable facts.
The author claims people were happy during Trump, seemingly forgetting the fact of tens of thousands who died every day from COVID. Trump’s lies about the pandemic caused super-spreader events that even put Trump into intensive care. Trump’s lies — “no worse than the flu” — compounded the misery and death, not happiness, of that time.
Though inflation is still falling, prices originally went up: Because Trump’s lies kept COVID going longer, collapsing supply chains, making goods harder to find. So prices rose.
Opportunistic corporations, such as Kroger, CVS, T.J. Maxx and many others used the sickness as cover to raise and keep prices higher than needed, generating record profits for themselves.
The author claims “the open border is a disaster.” But it was Trump and his Republican handmaids in Congress who blocked bipartisan legislation to address the border. Those problems continue because Trump demanded it for an issue to run on.
She writes Trump is no threat to democracy. A quick review of Trump’s own claims includes “terminating the Constitution”; becoming a dictator “only” on Day 1; and suppressing the vote by ending early and mail-in voting — clear, direct threats to democracy.
Lies are no reason to vote for anyone, especially an insurrectionist, but when Trump claims he’ll be a dictator, I believe him.
Gary Henry, Lawrence
As much as we know by now about Donald Trump’s creative approach to facts, even the man whom late-night host Jimmy Kimmel calls “Rant-a-Claus” can go a fib too far.
Trump seemed to hit his credibility limit recently when he took to Truth Social, his social media platform, to deny any knowledge whatsoever of Project 2025, a collection of veryconservative policy initiatives developed by the same Washington, D.C., policy factory that’s been setting GOP agendas for more than four decades.
“I know nothing about Project 2025,” the former president wrote, sounding about as believable as the corrupt police prefect in “Casablanca” who was “shocked, shocked” to hear there was gambling going on.
“I have no idea who is behind it,” he continued. “I disagree with some of the things they’re saying and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them.”
Well, maybe not exactly “nothing.” In fact, Project 2025 is a presidential transition agenda compiled by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, aided by dozens of former Trump administration officials. It claims credit for Trump’s “embracing two-thirds of Heritage’s proposals within just one year in office” during his term.
Clarence Page cpage@chicagotribune.com
Since 1981 Heritage has been publishing its hefty “Mandate for Leadership” to advise conservative administrations, beginning with President Ronald Reagan, whose praise raised the profile of the group in the days of the “Reagan Revolution.”
I quickly learned to appreciate Heritage research for advancing such issues as welfare reform and school vouchers. Heritage research, we should remember, helped Mitt Romney as governor of Massachusetts create a state health care plan that later provided much of the inspiration for President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, dubbed Obamacare by Republicans.
But Heritage, in my view, took a decided turn away from objective research as new leaders and donors wanted more conservative activism. That seemed fine with President Trump who also seemed to appreciate Heritage folks, although his recent attempts to distance himself seem to show his well-known reluctance to share his spotlight.
Nevertheless, the connection lives on in the parade of familiar, well-connected Beltway names participating in Project 2025. They include Paul Dans, former chief of staff at the Office of Personnel Management; Ben Carson, former Housing and Urban Development secretary; Ken Cuccinelli, former deputy secretary of homeland security; Peter Navarro, former director of the White House National Trade Council and director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy; Stephen Moore, an adviser to Trump’s 2016 campaign; Russell Vought, former director of the Office of Management and Budget; Brooks Tucker, former chief of staff for the Department of Veterans Affairs; Roger Severino, former director of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services, and Bernard McNamee, former commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, just for starters.
And if you still somehow have not heard of Project 2025, President Joe Biden’s campaign is happy to help you, too. The Biden campaign’s website describes Project 2025 as a vehicle to help Trump “gut democratic checks and balances, and consolidate power in the Oval Office.” That sounds about right to me.
For the record, Project 2025 is not Trump’s official platform.
According to a recent Harvard CAPS/Harris poll, 28% of people polled are still weighing their options for president. I find this hard to believe. Joe Biden and Donald Trump are not only very familiar candidates (I mean, we’ve been exactly here before), but they are also completely different in political stance and ideology. Perhaps that 28% are considering voting for one of the other candidates running independently. Otherwise, I just don’t get it. For the other 70% of voters who do know who they are voting for, I have a request. Stop fighting about it. The truth of the matter is that we, the American people, voted in a primary election to place Joe Biden and Donald Trump exactly in the positions they are in right now. It’s done. You know how you plan to vote and nothing can change your mind, so stop posting memes that only serve to poke fun at the candidates for superficial reasons. No, I don’t care about clever references to age, weight or any other physical attribute. Stop posting self-righteous memes, and instead, let’s start talking about the actual issues at hand in our communities.
There’s a famous quote that often gets attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt: “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds
discuss events; small minds discuss people.” Whether or not she actually said it is up for debate, but the quote itself is a good one, and it’s one that applies here. There are plenty of issues and ideas that are more worthy of our discourse than whatever cheap shot zinger you can come up with to post about the candidate you despise. Let’s talk about the things that warrant our attention in each and every city — such as our public school systems, our affordable housing crisis. Inflation. Children who are hungry, the opioid crisis and our homeless population. And I don’t mean talk about them in a way that points a finger and assigns blame. Save your blame for when it’s time to vote. Your vote says a lot about who you think can help us take care of our most vulnerable populations. Let’s talk about issues in a way that requires each of us to
The official campaign site is Agenda47, which focuses on the former president’s central issues, such as curbing immigration and boosting economic growth.
If past is prologue, though, and Trump in a second term ends up using Heritage’s big book as a policy blueprint again, this 920-page tome offers plenty to keep more moderate folks, like me, awake at night.
It calls for replacing vast numbers of federal civil servant jobs with political appointees who would be loyal directly to the president. It proposes crackdowns on abortion rights, criminalization of pornography (What happened to First Amendment freedom?), big cuts to climate research funding (Really? Does Trump still think it’s all a hoax?) and eliminating a couple of familiar targets of right-wing frustration, the Departments of Commerce and Education. Those two departments have survived past GOP efforts to zero them out, maybe indicating that the programs they oversee are important to a lot of Americans.
You may not have heard much about the Project 2025 controversy amid the confusion and debates about Biden’s future atop the Democratic ticket. But “Rant-a-Claus” and friends are raising troubling issues too.
— Clarence Page is a columnist for Tribune Content Agency.
Chad Lawhorn, Publisher and Editor
Kim Callahan, Managing Editor
Allison Tait, Advertising Manager
invest time and energy into our communities, understand the root causes and develop true ways to help. Then, go help.
I get it. If it’s simply someone’s fault, then there’s somewhere for your anger to flow and you can sleep at night. Yes, please vote. In 2020, 66% of the voting-eligible population showed up to vote, and I hope 2024 surpasses that number. But also, do more than vote.
Decide to truly listen to the stories of humanity. Our stories underscore the tragedy and trauma in human experience and inspire action. It becomes harder to sleep at night when we know the hardships our fellow human beings are suffering happen due to lack of access to choices or without recourse. It’s heartrending, but it can also be motivating. Memes are easy. They’re cheap and they help no one. Don’t post them, and don’t share them when others do. I challenge you to instead do the hard work of learning how you can really be part of the solutions in your hometown, because that’s where the rubber meets the road for any legislation or policy. Turn off your phone, shut your laptop and decide right now to be part of an actionable community solution.
— Bonnie Jean Feldkamp is a columnist with Creators Syndicate.
From the Lawrence Daily Journal for Friday, July 14, 1899:
l “George Leonard, who advertised for his [lost] dog a few days ago, found him way down in the bottoms east of Lawrence. He had followed a horse that Mr. Leonard had sold.”
l “The Eldridge house is getting ready for the new ceiling and other finishing changes on the office.... The outcome of the boring for natural gas for Lawrence is watched with much interest by most of the people of town.... The school children are beginning to count the weeks until the resumption of their work.”
l “Sidewalk bicycle riding is a very common practice in almost every part of Lawrence, even if it is against the city ordinances.”
l “Dr. Williston, Prof. Bailey and Prof. Haworth and others from Kansas university, expect to leave next Tuesday for the Wyoming fossil fields, where the Union Pacific railroad has arranged a gathering of the paleontologists and geologists of the various educational institutions of the country.”
l “The river remains at a good height as a result of rains of last week.”
l “Mr. H. G. Barber, the veteran theatrical agent, was in the city today completing arrangements for the engagement here tonight at the opera house of the Edison American Co. with their new vitascope showing a live motion picture reproduction of the Fitzsimmons-Jeffries Prize Fight. This company is the genuine Edison.... Mr. Barber says that the new process moving pictures are a revelation, being so life like and clear, Mr. Edison having overcome all unsteadiness in the pictures.”
l “The water lily season is at hand, and some very pretty specimens are brought in from the lake every day.” 125 years ago IN 1899
— Compiled by Sarah Parsons. To
Profiles by Chad Lawhorn l clawhorn@ljworld.com
Francisco Haswood
The race to become the Democratic nominee to represent large parts of Lawrence in the Kansas Senate has a high-stakes element to it — one incumbent legislator is guaranteed to lose.
A pair of elected officials are squaring off in the Republican primary to represent a Kansas House district that includes northeast Douglas County and a large portion of Eudora.
That’s because two sitting legislators are running for Kansas Senate District No. 2, which covers nearly all of Lawrence except for portions of far west Lawrence and
Incumbent Rep. Lance Neelly is facing a challenge from current Leavenworth County
A retirement by a longtime Lawrence legislator has created a three-way race to take his place in the Kansas House.
Brittany Hall, Brooklynne Mosley and Logan Ginavan are competing to become the Democratic nominee for
A Kansas Senate district that once was confined to Johnson County now has a new look to it with large parts of eastern Douglas and southern Leavenworth counties added to the district through redistricting.
A Kansas House district
Commissioner Mike Stieben in the race for Kansas House District No. 42. The district
northwest Lawrence. Sen. Marci Francisco is the incumbent in the district, and has served in the Kansas Legislature since 2005. Her challenger is Rep. Christina Haswood, who since
represents small sections of Lawrence, primarily east of O’Connell Road, and a smaller section east of Harper Street. The district includes most of the rural area in northeast Douglas County,
Kansas House District No. 46. The seat has become open after Lawrence Democrat Boog Highberger chose not to seek
reelection to the seat that he had held since 2015. The district includes most of northeast Lawrence,
Now, the Johnson County incumbent in the district is facing a challenger from the new territory.
There’s a new Senate district in Kansas, and it pairs northwest Lawrence with large parts of east Topeka. It has attracted a full field of candidates seeking to fill the new seat.
Sen. Beverly Gossage is squaring off against Bryan Zesiger, a retired Army pilot who owns a winery in
2020 has represented Kansas House District No. 10, which includes large parts of Lawrence and southern Douglas County.
including the northern part of the Eudora city limits. The district also stretches deep into Leavenworth County, including Tonganoxie.
generally north of 15th Street and east of Iowa Street. Here’s a look at the three Democratic candidates. No Republican has filed for the seat, which is in a heavily Democratic district.
Leavenworth County, in the Republican primary for Kansas Senate District No. 9. The winner is expected to face in the general election Norman Mallicoat, of Olathe, the lone Democrat to file for the seat.
Kansas Senate District 19 has three Democrats vying for the seat, and two Republicans. In Lawrence, the
district covers the area north of Sixth Street, between Queens Road and Kasold Drive. It also includes the
The newly redrawn boundaries of Senate District No. 9 now include all of the Baldwin City, Eudora and Tonganoxie city limits.
city limits of Lecompton and the rural area surrounding it. A significant amount of the population in the district, though, is in eastern Topeka.
Kansas House District No. 10 includes nearly all the Lawrence city limits south of 15th Street and east
of Iowa Street. It is currently held by Rep. Christina Haswood, but she chose not to seek reelection to the
House. Rather, she is campaigning for a Kansas Senate seat. No Republican filed for the seat, meaning the winner of the August primary between Suzanne Wikle and Zachary Hawkins is likely to take the
seat. Here’s a look at the two candidates.
Zachary Hawkins Multiple attempts to reach Hawkins were unsuccessful.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7A
Haswood decided not to seek reelection to the Kansas House, and instead filed for the Kansas Senate seat, setting up the primary battle with Francisco. Here’s a look at each of the two Democratic candidates. The winner is expected to face Lawrence resident David Miller in the general election. Miller is the lone Republican to file for the Senate seat.
Marci Francisco Francisco knows all about winning elections in Lawrence. She began her elected career in 1979 by winning a seat on the Lawrence City Commission, and went on to serve as mayor from 1981 to 1983.
A desire to improve Lawrence neighborhoods was a driving force in those campaigns, and it fit well
Brittany Hall
It was a trio of values that led Hall to Lawrence 17 years ago: inclusion, diversity and compassion.
“Those same values are why I’m raising my son, Mateo, here,” Hall told the Journal-World. “I’ve become a member of this community, and I see all the good in it. I also see the need to protect and nourish the things that make Lawrence a home to so many.” Hall describes herself as a half-Native, half-Mexican single mother who works multiple jobs. Additionally, she said “she comes from a background that set me up to fail,” including having an absent father and a drug-addicted mother who put her up for adoption.
In Lawrence, Hall has been
with her professional background, she said. She has degrees from KU in environmental design and in architecture. She ended up working for the university for 35 years in offices related to facilities planning and sustainability.
In the Kansas Legislature, Francisco said she has gained a reputation on both sides of the political aisle for “reading bills, understanding the intent, and suggesting changes to improve the wording of legislation and the outcome.”
“Listening to what other legislators are asking, and focusing on the details of the bills and not the personalities, I have offered amendments to improve bills ... Working in these ways with others has helped me build relationships based on trust,” Francisco told the Journal-World.
In a response to a Journal-World questionnaire, Francisco listed three issues she’ll work the hardest to support in the Legislature:
heavily involved in education. She has taught at the Little Nations Academic Center and at Haskell Indian Nations University. She currently is the president of the Haskell National Board of Regents, and also has served on the board of Peaslee Tech.
In a response to a JournalWorld questionnaire, Hall listed three issues she’ll work the hardest to support in the Legislature: l Medicaid expansion. Hall said expanding the health insurance program is a “must.” She said numbers show 45,000 children would be helped be helped by the expansion, and many polls show that 75% of the state’s residents are in favor of working with the federal government to expand the program. “The only thing keeping it back is a Republican party that is more interested in saying no than governing,” she said.
l Support to help people feel safe in their identity. Hall
l Protecting women’s reproductive health care, including abortion care, IVF and contraception. “I will continue to push legislation I introduced to protect reproductive health care and be working to reverse the disturbing trend in maternal health outcomes for women of color,” Francisco said.
l Fair, progressive tax policy. Francisco said she has been supportive of eliminating the state sales tax on food and eliminating the state income tax on Social Security, both of which have become law. Now, she said she wants to tackle legislation that will reduce increases in property taxes.
l Energy and environmental concerns. Francisco touted her efforts to increase funding for the State Water Plan by $5 million per year. She said she now wants to ensure proper oversight of those expenditures is in place. Additionally, she wants to see the adoption of a statewide
said this issue is personal for her. She said she’s seen Lawrence make everyone feel welcome “not in spite of their identity, but because of it.”
l Working across the political aisle. Hall said the extremely gerrymandered districts in Kansas will make it difficult for Democrats to be in control of the Legislature at any point. She said her role as president of the Haskell board has given her experience in working across political differences to enact meaningful change.
Brooklynne Mosley
Mosley has been a member of Gov. Laura Kelly’s staff, is a U.S. Air Force veteran who has conducted refueling missions over Iraq, and currently is a professional political operative. Of all the experiences she’s had, she lists her efforts to help stop controversial Republican Kris Kobach from becoming the state’s governor in 2018 near the top of the list.
energy plan and a statewide energy efficiency building code.
Christina Haswood
On any given day, you can find Haswood working as an environmental consultant for Native American tribal nations or picking up odd jobs through Instacart and other such “gig work” to help pay the bills, she said.
“My lived experiences are shared by so many Kansans, but are missing in the Kansas Senate,” Haswood told the Journal-World. “I am a renter of an apartment. I work multiple jobs just to try to make ends meet. I have student loan debt. These circumstances are not unique — thousands of Kansans across our state are in the same situation as me — but we do not have a state senator who holds all these lived experiences while shaping our state policies.”
Haswood, who was raised in Lawrence, is one
Mosley said she ran the field efforts for the Kansas Democratic Party in that election that Kelly ended up winning. Mosley went on to serve as Kelly’s deputy director of appointments, and has worked on multiple other campaigns for Democrats. She said professional experience is needed in the Legislature.
“We don’t have enough Democrats winning seats or being recruited,” Mosley told the Journal-World. “I am the only one in this race that understands what we are up against in the statehouse and who can help be part of the solution.”
Mosley, who came to Lawrence in 2013 to study at KU on the GI Bill, said she’s also well equipped to work with people who have different viewpoints, saying she is “willing to have a conversation with anyone as long as the conversation is rooted in recognizing the basic human dignity of all people.”
of the younger members of the Kansas Legislature. She began serving in the Legislature at about the same time she completed her masters in public health administration from the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Haswood, who is Native American, also has undergraduate degrees from Haskell Indian Nations University and Arizona State, both related to public health. Haswood has expertise in several health issues related to Native American populations, including suicide prevention for Native American youth, and the impact vaping has on young adult Native Americans.
In a response to a Journal-World questionnaire, Haswood listed three issues she’ll work the hardest to support in the Legislature: l Medicaid expansion. Haswood credits this issue for getting her “fired up about Kansas politics.”
She said the state’s refusal to work with the federal
In a response to a JournalWorld questionnaire, Mosley listed three issues she’ll work the hardest to support in the Legislature:
l Anti-poverty/family stabilization efforts. She said a focus on anti-poverty legislation is “not only moral, but it is the best investment we could make for our people.”
l Protecting vulnerable Kansas youth. Mosley said she’s concerned the first bully many Kansas school children encounter is the Kansas Legislature. She said the state needs to do more to support equitable educational funding and gun violence prevention legislation.
l Dignity for older adults. Mosley said she supports property tax relief and affordable housing programs for low-income Kansans to help older adults deal with increased living costs.
Logan Ginavan Ginavan is a political science student at KU, who says
government to expand the health insurance program is wrong. “Not only are we paying for other states’ expanded Medicaid programs, but also knowing the amount of Kansans it could help — estimated around 150,000 — it is irresponsible that extremists in the legislature continue to block this commonsense policy.”
l Protecting and improving public schools. Haswood said she has voted to fully fund public schools every year that she has been in office. She said she also will continue to support increases for special education funding “so that our schools aren’t effectively cutting operating budgets in order to fulfill their obligations to these vulnerable students.”
l Supporting small and local businesses. She said the economy needs to give equitable chances to women, veterans, young adults and members of the BIPOC community who are seeking to start businesses.
he’s ready to inject a new mentality into the Kansas Legislature.
“The main quality that I would bring to the legislature — that it desperately needs — is a young mentality,” Ginavan told the Journal-World.
“The halls of the capitol are filled with representatives and senators still stuck in the last century, worrying about the problems of the past. We must worry about the problems that we will face in the future — the problems that I’m going to be dealing with long after they’re all gone.” Ginavan also touts his experience working as an intern with Rep. Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat who serves as the minority leader in the Kansas House.
In a response to a JournalWorld questionnaire, Ginavan listed three issues he’ll work the hardest to support in the Legislature: l Citizen-based initiatives l Increasing voting rights l Marijuana legalization.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5A
Beyond his planning experience, Kelso has served in multiple other leadership roles in local governments and organizations over the years, including a 12-year term on the Eudora school board, 10 years with the East Central Kansas Cooperative for Education, and six years of representing Eudora Township on the Douglas County Fair Board.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7A
Here’s a look at the Democratic candidates.
Vic Miller
Miller is a Topeka resident but has picked up on a Douglas County fact this election cycle — the county is losing at least three of its incumbent legislators. Rep. Boog Highberger and Sen. Tom Holland are both retiring, and either Rep. Christina Haswood or Sen. Marci Francisco also will exit the Legislature, as those two are squaring off in a primary.
Miller said that means legislative experience is going to be at a premium next session, and he’s touting his experience this campaign.
Miller is currently serving his third term in the Kansas House, and is the minority leader — the top ranking Democrat — in the House.
Now, he wants to return to the Senate, where he had previously served two years.
He’s also a past Topeka City Council member and Shawnee County commissioner.
Miller said he also understands what a couple of the top issues in the district should be.
“The 19th District Senator must be a leading advocate for those that work in either the Capital Area Complex or at Kansas University, as well as a spokesperson for funding KU itself,” Miller told the Journal-World via email.
Miller, an attorney who also worked as a field director for the Kansas Democratic Party early in his
He said he wants to ensure that the county’s rural communities have a presence on the County
career, said he “will never back down from a battle” to support the trio of issues that he thinks all Democrats in the Legislature are pushing for — reproductive rights, expansion of Medicaid, and adequate funding for public education.
Three issues that he said he would fight hard to support are:
l Increases in state employee salaries
l Reductions in residential property taxes
l Elimination of the Medicaid waiver waiting list for families of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Patrick Schmidt
For Schmidt, the events of Jan. 6, where rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, played a big role in his decision to get into politics. He already has experience as a public servant. He served in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence officer, and currently serves in the U.S. Naval Reserve. But he didn’t think politics was in his future.
“I witnessed the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol and never thought I would be called to public service, but I felt compelled to run because I felt the need to protect our way of life from those who seek to destroy it,” Schmidt told the JournalWorld via email.
Schmidt, a Topeka resident, has his undergraduate degree in international relations, and served more than five years of active duty in the U.S. Navy before becoming a Naval reservist. He said as a legislator he would battle hard-line Republicans on a trio of issues.
Commission. As a member of the Planning Commission, he said, he has contributed to rewriting wind energy regulations in Douglas County and is familiar with the issues surrounding energy projects. In regards to solar energy, he said he believes location is everything. Kelso said he voted against the
“I will fight for hardworking Kansas families, especially fighting extremist Republicans who are seeking to ban abortion, wreck the Kansas economy with irresponsible tax giveaways and their refusal to fully fund education and expand Medicaid,” he said via email.
ShaMecha King Simms
Simms did not respond to multiple requests for information from the JournalWorld. According to her campaign website, she is an educator and a Topeka resident, who serves as the president of the Historic Old Town Neighborhood Improvement Association in Topeka.
On her campaign website she says the state has “an outdated unemployment system, a broken foster care system, and state infrastructure that needs updating, including security against cyber attacks.”
She also said on the site that the Senate district “deserves a fresh perspective from a woman who has spent years working and living in the community.” l l l
Here’s a look at the Republican candidates.
Cynthia Smith
Smith is the only Douglas County resident in the race for the Senate district, but she has traveled far and wide from the Lawrence area, often on issues involving government matters.
Before retirement, Smith was an attorney who worked for a number of industries that needed representation before
solar project being developed by Savion because of concerns about its proposed location.
“Factors such as potential impact on prime agricultural land, wildlife habitats, and the risk of water contamination were pivotal in my decision,” Kelso said. “Additionally, the unresolved issue of potential flooding
governments, ranging from work on the aftermath of the Tylenol drug tampering crisis to representation for the American Association of Blood Banks during the height of the AIDS epidemic.
Smith, who has been a Lawrence resident since 1995, said she’s learned how to work with everybody from members of Congress to state legislators, and she thinks being a Republican will help her serve the district in the Kansas Statehouse that is full of Republicans.
“This senate district needs a moderate Republican, and I have a wide breadth of relevant professional and life experience to bring influence to the role,” she said via email to the Journal-World. “I will work as a fiscal conservative on the monetary issues, which should be a priority for the legislature, and as a moderate by demanding separation of church and state.”
In response to a questionnaire from the JournalWorld, Smith listed three issues she will fight the hardest to support as a legislator.
l Legislation that supports restraint in taxes and spending, calling that the “strength of a Republican.”
l Proper access to health care. Smith said the state needs to “find the balance between expanding Medicaid and incentivizing the working poor to acquire low-cost health insurance” available through the federal marketplace.
l Opposition to bigoted legislation. “I will fight against legislation that is founded in conspiracy
in Northern Lawrence during storms underscores the need for meticulous planning and proactive solutions.”
In response to a JournalWorld questionnaire, Kelso said an issue the Douglas County Commission needs to focus on is actively listening to every voice the body represents, regardless of which district each commissioner is from. “Each citizen’s viewpoint and concerns deserve genuine attention, whether they cast a vote or not,” Kelso said. “Our decisions impact the entire county, transcending district lines, making it essential to grasp and respect what matters to everyone.”
theories, bigotry, or oppression of marginalized populations,” Smith said via email. “I intend to demonstrate every day that I am not out of touch with voters.”
Tyler Wible Wible, a Topeka resident, owns his own construction and development company that specializes in the rehabilitation of historic commercial buildings. He deals with a heavy dose of regulations at the state and local level, which he said gives him a sense of matters that need to be fixed at the Statehouse.
“It has shown me a lot of holes and problems we have as to why a lot of people just don’t move to Kansas,” Wible told the JournalWorld. “We have a population and growth issue. Our infrastructure is failing in a lot of these areas and safety issues. A lot of this comes down to our guidelines for infrastructure.”
Wible said being a younger candidate — he’s a 2016 graduate of Topeka High
— will bring a valuable voice to the Legislature.
“My experience is based in today’s problems,” Wible said. “I’ve experienced poverty. I’ve gone through the school systems we have today.”
Wible discussed three issues he will fight the hardest to support as a legislator.
l Support for lower property and income taxes. “That is where population comes in. A higher population is the way to increase the tax base. We shouldn’t be increasing just what everybody pays.”
l Informed communities. He said he feels like many things in government are “hidden.” He said as a lifelong resident of the district, he will attend many community events and give them a chance to meet and know their senator.
l Promoting youth involvement. He said many youth are “kept in the dark” about matters of community concern and don’t know how to be involved in politics and voting.
Marci has the recommendation from the •KNEA - Kansas National Education Association PAC
Her record has earned her distinction as a •2024 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate
And the endorsements of
•The Kansas Farm Bureau
•The Kansas Livestock Association
•The Kansas State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police
“I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin,” he said in the post. “Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening.”
The attack, by a shooter who law enforcement officials say was then killed by the Secret Service, was the first attempt to assassinate a president or presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981. It comes amid a deeply polarized political atmosphere, just four months from the presidential elections and days before Trump is to be officially named the Republican nominee at his party’s convention.
“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act,” spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. “He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow.”
The Secret Service said the suspected shooter fired from “an elevated position outside of the rally venue.” Trump is “safe and being evaluated,” the agency said.
“There’s no place in America for this type of violence,” President Joe Biden, who is running against Trump as the presumptive Democratic nominee, said in remarks. “It’s sick. It’s sick.”
Two officials spoke to The Associated Press on
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7A
The winner of the Republican primary is expected to face in the general election Lawrence resident Eddy Martinez, who is the lone Democrat to file for the seat. Here’s a look at the two candidates in the Republican primary:
Lance Neelly
Neelly, who has served in the Kansas House since 2021, said in a brief emailed
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7A
It also includes De Soto and a heavily populated portion of Johnson County along Kansas Highway 7 between Olathe and Lenexa.
Here’s a look at the Republican primary election candidates.
Beverly Gossage
the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. They said the shooter was not an attendee at the rally and was killed by U.S. Secret Service agents.
The officials said the shooter was engaged by members of the U.S. Secret Service counterassault team and killed. The heavily armed tactical team travels everywhere with the president and major party nominees and is meant to confront any active threats while other agents focus on safeguarding and evacuating the person at the center of protection.
It’s still not clear yet whether Trump was struck by gunfire or was injured as he was pulled to the ground by agents.
Butler County district attorney Richard Goldinger said in a phone interview that the suspected gunman was dead and at
response to the JournalWorld that he wants another term to work with fellow members of the Legislature. He listed his ability to work with others as a unique trait that he has that could benefit the Legislature.
“We may not agree on everything, but let’s find things we can work together on,” Neelly said.
Neelly, who lists his professional background as having included jobs in the corrections industry and as a security supervisor, served as the vice-chair of the House Transportation
least one rally attendee was killed.
A rally disrupted by gunfire Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, was showing off a chart of border crossing numbers during his last rally before the Republican National Convention opens Monday when the apparent shots began just after 6:10 p.m. It took two minutes from the moment of the first shot for Trump to be placed in a waiting SUV.
As Trump was talking, a popping sound was heard, and the former president put his right hand up to his right ear, as people in the stands behind him appeared to be shocked.
As the first pop rang out, Trump said, “Oh,” and grabbed his ear as two more pops could be heard and he crouched down. More shots are heard then.
Committee during the most recent legislative session. Neelly, a Tonganoxie resident, briefly listed three items that he said would be his top legislative priorities, if elected: l Property tax relief l Protect small businesses and agricultural businesses l Fight “unnecessary and unfair regulations and laws.”
Mike Stieben
Stieben has been a Leavenworth County commissioner since 2019, and he said understanding how
Someone could be heard saying near the microphone at Trump’s lectern, “Get down, get down, get down, get down!” as agents tackled the former president. They piled atop him to shield him with their bodies, as is their training protocol, as other agents took up positions on stage to search for the threat.
Screams were heard in the crowd of several thousand people. A woman is heard screaming louder than the rest. Afterward, voices were heard saying “shooter’s down” several times, before someone asks “are we good to move?” and “are we clear?”
Then, someone ordered, “Let’s move.”
Trump could be heard on the video saying at least twice, “Let me get my shoes, let me get my shoes,” with another voice heard saying, “I’ve got you sir.”
local government works would be a valuable skill to take to Topeka.
“I believe having legislators in Topeka who understand local government is important,” Stieben told the Journal-World via email. “Many times state policies impact local government in unexpected ways and create unfunded mandates that can cause local taxpayers on the local level to suffer.”
Stieben has been an employee of BNSF Railway for 28 years, and currently is a locomotive engineer. He’s also a licensed real
Trump got to his feet moments later and could be seen reaching with his right hand toward his face. There appeared to be blood on his face. He then pumped his fist in the air and appeared to mouth the word “Fight” twice to his crowd of supporters, prompting loud cheers and then chants of “USA. USA. USA.”
The crowd cheered as he got back up and pumped his fist.
His motorcade left the venue moments later.
Video showed Trump turning back to the crowd and raising a fist right before he is put into a vehicle.
Reporters covering the rally heard five or six shots ring out and many ducked for cover, hiding under tables.
After the first two or three bangs, people in the crowd looked startled, but not panicked. An AP reporter at the scene reported the noise sounded like firecrackers at first or perhaps a car backfiring.
But then there were more shots. Panic set in as people realized what was happening. Shouts of “Get down!” rang through the crowd.
When it was clear the situation had been contained and that Trump would not be returning to speak, attendees started filing out of the venue. One man in an electric wheelchair got stuck on the field when his chair’s battery died. Others tried to help him move.
Police soon told the people remaining to leave the venue and U.S. Secret Service agents told reporters to get “out now. This is a live crime scene.”
estate agent and has done some substitute teaching work for the Tonganoxie school district, he said.
Stieben, who lives in the Tonganoxie area, listed three issues that he said he would fight the hardest to support in the Legislature: l Transparency and responsiveness in government. Stieben said he tries to lead by example on that front. He said he regularly hosts town hall meetings as a county commissioner and conducts surveys and writes a detailed newsletter for constituents, among other items.
U.N. chief appeals for more money for
United nations (ap) — The United Nations chief appealed for funding Friday for the beleaguered U.N. agency helping Palestinian refugees in Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East, accusing Israel of issuing evacuation orders that force Palestinians “to move like human pinballs across a landscape of destruction and death.”
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a donor’s conference that the agency, known as UNRWA, faces “a profound funding gap.” UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said at the start of the conference that the agency only had funds to operate through August.
Richard
dies new York (ap) — Richard Simmons, television’s hyperactive court jester of physical fitness who built a mini-empire in his trademark tank tops and short shorts by urging the overweight to exercise and eat better, died Saturday. He turned 76 on Friday. Simmons, who had revealed a skin cancer diagnosis in March 2024, had lately dropped out of sight, sparking speculation about his health and well-being. His death was first reported by TMZ.
l Support a cap on property tax growth. Stieben said he has been actively supporting a proposal that would cap annual property valuation increases to no more than 4% in any given year.
l Support for education funding. He said special education needs to be fully funded, and districts need help in improving teacher compensation. “I will vote for policies that improve educational outcomes in Kansas, and give us the best schools in the nation, working with educators, parents and local leaders to achieve that goal,” Stieben said via email.
That led to the career she has had since 2002, owning a private company — HSA Benefits Consulting — that helps businesses with their employee benefits. Gossage said she was part of the national effort during the George W. Bush administration to establish health savings accounts. Creating new solutions to help with everyday problems is a theme of her campaign, she said.
“I am an independent, reform-minded advocate for the everyday Kansan,” Gossage told the JournalWorld via email. “I believe in adopting sound policy that solves problems, and am willing to work with
Gossage, whose rural Eudora home is on the Johnson side of the county line, has a long Douglas County history. She is a former teacher at Lawrence’s Deerfield Elementary, and later became the director of Lawrence’s Sylvan Learning Center. But she also is part of the family that owns Lawrence-based Kastl Plumbing, and she helped that business with its employee benefits.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7A
According to his campaign website, he is a Topeka native who now lives in Lawrence and is completing a chemistry degree at KU.
“I will be the first to admit that I do not have a political background, however I think it is important that everyday citizens get involved in the political system,” Hawkins said on his website. “Together, let us demand accountability, transparency, and real
progress from our elected officials.”
On his website, he said protecting abortion rights, transgender rights and creating true campaign finance reform were among the issues that would be important to him as a lawmaker.
Suzanne Wikle With a masters in social welfare from KU, Wikle has become a professional advocate for policies related to children and families. She currently works with a network of advocate groups across the country on issues related to economic
members of both parties to get the policy right.”
In response to a questionnaire from the JournalWorld, Gossage listed three issues she will fight the hardest to support in the Legislature.
l Promoting economic opportunity by “reducing taxes and empowering entrepreneurs by removing barriers to success.”
l Health care reform that “improves access to quality, affordable care and gives consumers more choices.”
l Greater choice in education. “I support a studentfocused approach to education, where we provide parents options and maximize resources to teachers and classrooms,” Gossage said via email.
Bryan Zesiger
security for families. In Kansas, she may be best known for efforts related to reducing infant mortality rates, strengthening child care provider licensing and increasing eligibility for a children’s health insurance program while working for the Kansas Action for Children organization.
But also on the resumé is the title of mom of two. She and her husband have one child in Lawrence schools and another in child care. That perspective, she argues, is important for the Kansas Legislature.
“I understand the
Zesiger’s career has spanned from an Army combat pilot to a farmer. The rural Lawrence resident thinks both will help him in the Kansas Legislature. Zesiger spent 26 years in the military, and then founded Z&M Twisted Vines — a vineyard and winery — in southern Leavenworth County upon retirement from the Army.
That venture got him involved in politics as he began work crafting and advocating for bills that address taxation on agritourism lands and buildings. He said his experience as a farmer and vineyard operator has given him good insight into the world of Kansas agriculture, which remains a huge part of the state’s economy. His years in the military, he
financial stress caused by the cost of child care that leads to impossible decisions for families,” Wikle told the Journal-World via email. “I also have the policy knowledge to help solve these problems.”
Wikle also said she’s “not seeking office to be an ideologue,” and said she was confident in her ability to build bridges. But she also said there are some issues where compromise and bridge building aren’t possible, noting reproductive rights and school funding as examples.
“In those situations, if
said, gave him a good view of the broader world and its “diverse cultures and leadership dynamics.”
“This experience, coupled with my entrepreneurial ventures in Kansas, has equipped me to approach legislative challenges with a balanced and inclusive mindset,” he told the Journal-World via email. “I prioritize people over politics, special interests and policies, striving to represent all constituents fairly and effectively.”
In response to a questionnaire from the JournalWorld, Zesiger listed three issues he will fight the hardest to support in the Legislature.
l Property taxes. He said property tax increases are a critical issue that “has not been adequately addressed by my opponent.” He said his goal will be for policies that ensure property taxes do not outpace the incomes of retirees and working individuals. l Supporting “community heroes.” He said he recognizes the vital role employees of police, fire and emergency service departments, schools and hospitals play in a community. He said he will “advocate for full funding and support of these institutions.” l Agricultural advocacy. Zesiger said lawmakers need to recognize the importance of agriculture to the state’s identity and economy. “I will work to ensure our policies support and promote this vital sector, integrating agritourism and industry for sustainable growth,” he said.
the position I take does not prevail in the majority, it’s important to vocally oppose and help hold those on the other side accountable,” she said.
In response to a JournalWorld questionnaire, Wikle listed three issues she would fight the hardest to support as a legislator.
l Affordable and accessible health care. She said that includes Medicaid expansion, abortion and reproductive health care, and “common sense gun laws.”
l Fully supporting education systems. That involves fully funding special
education and K-12 operation, and also supporting higher education, she said.
“Beyond funding, I will advocate that legislators trust teachers and push back against efforts to micromanage the classrooms or schools,” she said.
l Relieving economic stress. She said the state needs to shore up its safetynet system, and also needs to do more to support workers and unions, while also restructuring the tax system “so that the wealthiest pay their fair share and property taxes are less of a burden for our seniors.”
By Matt Ott Associated Press
airport security on July 7, the first time that many passengers have been screened in a single day as travel surges, according to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration. The record, which was widely predicted to happen at some point over the July Fourth holiday weekend, topped the June 23 mark of more than 2.99 million screened passengers. Eight of the 10 busiest days in TSA’s history have come this year as the number of travelers tops pre-pandemic levels
Here’s why summer travel is heating up and some tips to keep in mind to make your plans run as smoothly as possible
WHY IS TRAVEL SURGING?
While Americans continue to grapple with inflation, travel costs including airline tickets and hotel prices have eased significantly from a year ago. Hotel rooms were 1.2% cheaper in May compared with a year ago, according to recent government inflation data. Those costs have been trending lower since the beginning of the year
Americans also traditionally use the summer as a time to get away because children have a break from school for several weeks, making it easier to plan schedules. Many working adults also like to build their travel plans around holidays, as it’s often viewed as a way to take off more time while using fewer vacation days from their employer.
CHECK YOUR ITINERARY
Before heading to the airport, it’s always beneficial to check the status of your travel plans.
do you think of recent signs that inflation is slowing? It really looks like inflation has resumed its downward path. And that’s very good. That’s kind of what we’re looking for. We want inflation to get down in a sustainable
way to our 2% goal. And at the same time, we’re seeing moderation in demand, but we’re also seeing that labor markets remain healthy. But for me to be feeling that we could start cutting rates, it would be good to get a few more good inflation readings I’m expecting the economy to evolve in a way that later this year, the Fed will be able to begin to reduce rates. I can’t give you a timing. It really is going to depend on how the economy actually evolves.
How did the Fed change during your time there?
Probably the biggest change was going from Chair Alan Greenspan to Chair Ben Bernanke. What Ben did was, instead of going first, he would let everyone speak first, and then he would summarize. I did
sense that people felt a little freer to actually give their policy views. Chair Janet Yellen and Chair Jerome Powell maintained that format. There has been this increase in trying to be more transparent, in trying to really explain the rationale for our decisions. Remember, in the old days, the Fed didn’t even release a statement after its meetings
Why do you think consumer sentiment is still mostly gloomy even as data mostly shows a positive economy? One lesson from this episode is that high inflation is very harmful. If you look at where inflation was highest, it was in essentials. It was food prices, it was all the essential things that people had to buy. And if you’re a lower-income person, you’re spending a bigger part of your consumption basket on those essentials. So inflation really impacted the people with the
incomes. The good news is that the gap between wage and price growth is closing. Are [people] back to where they were? Not yet, but getting closer. So that’s a good thing.
Are you worried about the Fed’s independence if Donald Trump is elected, given his previous attacks on the Fed? I think not in the sense that Congress, I think they understand the importance of a Fed that’s making monetary policy decisions that aren’t influenced by short-run political considerations.
Interviewed by Christopher Rugaber. Edited for clarity and length.
l As the county’s top law enforcement official, what is the No. 1 thing you would do to instill trust in the community you serve and in your law enforcement partners? Engaging with the community is the one thing that I will do to instill trust. For me that means active listening and providing opportunities for feedback. I have already reached out to law enforcement agencies throughout Douglas County and have been seeking input from community members about their concerns. This style of engagement is not new to me since I am currently a liaison for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County Law Enforcement Board, which hears concerns from citizens. I will support the efforts of law enforcement while also expecting accountability.
l Do you have any pending disciplinary complaints against you or have you ever been censured or otherwise disciplined by the state office overseeing attorney conduct? I have received two complaints regarding my representation. One complaint involved a defendant who later became his own attorney. The second complaint involved a defense attorney. In both cases, the defendants’ cases were resolved through convictions by pleas in which the defendants faced lengthy presumed prison sentences and one defendant must register for life as a sex offender.
Dakota Loomis
l A brief description of your educational and professional background: I attended public school in Lawrence at Pinckney Elementary School, Central Junior High School and Lawrence High School before attending Carleton College for undergraduate and then New York University, where I received my juris doctorate.
I have spent my professional career working in public service. I have worked for the Office of the Governor of Kansas under Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, and the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office as the deputy chief of staff. Currently, I am the city attorney for the city of
Baldwin City and the city of Quenemo, and operate my own law firm that specializes in criminal defense. I have also served as the defense attorney for the Douglas County Drug Court since its inception and represent people who are doing the work every day to rebuild their lives and relationships.
l What would be your top consideration in deciding whether to charge someone with a crime? The top consideration would be the strength of the evidence and whether it could be admitted before a judge or jury. While there are many factors that should be considered when charging, the foundation must be the strength and admissibility of the evidence of a crime.
l What main factors would play into your decision to enter into a plea deal with a criminal defendant? The primary factors I would consider when determining if a plea deal or diversion is appropriate would be the strength of the evidence, input from any victim of the crime as to what their wishes are, if the resolution is in the interest of justice if factors such as mental health or substance abuse contributed to the offense, the criminal history of the person against whom charges have been filed and the efficient use of limited resources.
l What specific skills would you bring to this role? I bring over a decade of experience as a criminal litigator, both as a prosecutor and defense attorney, to the role of district attorney. In addition to my extensive courtroom experience, I also served as a charging attorney while at the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office. For three years I reviewed and charged all domestic violence offenses while also providing training to law enforcement on how to properly investigate these sensitive cases. This experience taught me the importance of prioritizing cases of domestic violence while providing me a deeper understanding of how best to charge cases appropriately and ethically.
As the Baldwin City attorney I have gained valuable experience working with law enforcement partners and creating systems to better investigate and prosecute cases. This experience as a local prosecutor confirmed my belief that working collaboratively
with law enforcement and community partners is the best way to build a stronger, safer community.
l As the county’s top law enforcement official, what is the No. 1 thing you would do to instill trust in the community you serve and in your law enforcement partners? As district attorney, fostering a culture of respectful and ethical service would be the first step I would take to rebuild the trust that has been lost between the District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement and the citizens we serve. Treating all people with respect and dignity are core beliefs I hold, and I believe these values strengthen our relationships and our institutions.
As the district attorney this means modeling respectful behavior and setting clear expectations for all staff. It also requires that the DA ensures that survivors of crime have a voice throughout the process and that people accused of a crime are treated fairly and ethically while in the court system. Finally, open and honest communication between law enforcement and the DA creates the foundation that is necessary to restore trust between these organizations and better protect our community.
l Do you have any pending disciplinary complaints against you or have you ever been censured or otherwise disciplined by the state office overseeing attorney conduct? I have not been censured or otherwise disciplined by the Kansas Disciplinary Administrator.
Suzanne Valdez
l A brief description of your educational and professional background: In 1996 after graduating from KU Law, I began my career with Kansas Legal Services in Kansas City, Kansas. I joined the KU law faculty in 1999, and I supervised interns in the legal aid clinic. I also taught many practical skills courses. In 2008, I served as a pro tem judge in Douglas County, presiding over the county’s juvenile offender docket and postdivorce motions docket for approximately seven months. I chaired the Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board for nine years. In 2013-2018, I served on the Douglas County Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children board. In 2020, as a DA candidate, I advocated for a local Children’s Advocacy Center, which
has come to fruition. I have been a practicing attorney for 28 years. Prior to being elected as DA, I also served as a special prosecutor for seven years in Wyandotte County. I am the co-author of the book Prosecutorial Ethics Third Edition, the author of many law review articles and a contributing author to “Fighting Mad: Resisting the End of Roe v. Wade.” I have tried numerous jury trials.
l What would be your top consideration in deciding whether to charge someone with a crime? I care deeply about everyone in our Douglas County community. As the top law enforcement officer of this judicial district, my legal duty is public safety, and to use our resources to prosecute violent crime, involving child and adult sexual assault, interpersonal violent crime and all firearm offenses. We are also devoting prosecutorial resources to prosecute all distributors of controlled substances, including fentanyl, which has claimed the lives of many loved ones in our community.
I am committed to continued growth of our Alternatives to Incarceration programming that includes our existing Behavioral Health Court and Drug Court and the addition of a Veterans Treatment Court. In addition, I am committed to growing our Restorative Justice practices when appropriate and providing abundant Diversion opportunities where my office does not charge application fees.
l What main factors would play into your decision to enter into a plea deal with a criminal defendant? Well over 90% of our cases resolved short of trial. There are many factors at play in a plea agreement. Litigation on criminal cases takes time, resources, and requires witness and victim participation. Plea bargaining on all criminal cases stems from the advantages that both the state and defense gain by resolving cases short of litigation. When a plea is entered, the state avoids the uncertainties of trial, but ensures that some punishment and accountability is meted out to the defendant, which hopefully satisfies the victim’s and public’s desire to hold the defendant accountable. Moreover, with a plea the state avoids having to call a victim/survivor to testify. Finally, plea bargaining
conserves the resources of the DA’s office, law enforcement partners and the courts, which is consistent with a prosecutor’s obligation to be mindful of the proper administration of justice across the criminal justice system.
l What specific skills would you bring to this role? (1) Strength of character – No matter the criticism of me and my team, I keep my head up do my work with integrity in all the difficult decisions I make daily. I strive for inclusion of all, their personal safety and viewpoints. I am making change to the criminal justice system by ensuring fair representation and justice for everyone.
(2) Adaptability – I took office during the peak of COVID, and my office has adapted to the post-COVID world; we have transformed the work of the office to a paperless case management system, and have provided transparent, accurate information about the work of our office through social media, our website and annual reports. We adapted quickly to the statewide court system shutdown.
(3) Determination –When I ran for DA in 2020, I was determined to make change to the criminal justice system, which is anchored in racism, sexism and other colonialist principles. My office is a national model for criminal justice reform.
l As the county’s top law enforcement official, what is the No. 1 thing you would do to instill trust in the community you serve and in your law enforcement partners? There are many things, but since you asked for one, I enforce our Brady/Giglio policy in all criminal cases, which ensures that the defendant’s constitutional rights are protected, instills trust in the integrity of the prosecution of a case, and protects the dedicated and upstanding work that our law enforcement partners do every day to keep our community safe.
l Do you have any pending disciplinary complaints against you or have you ever been censured or otherwise disciplined by the state office overseeing attorney conduct? As to your last question, the ODA complaints I have faced that you have written about exhaustively are in my role as DA, and not as a practicing attorney. I have not been disciplined or censured.
In response to a Journal-World questionnaire, Anderson said an issue Douglas County needs to focus on is lowering property taxes. “Through addressing property tax concerns in the district and annual valuation, one can also address affordable housing if the solutions are developed in concert with community input,” Anderson said.
Nicholas Matthews Matthews grew up in Lawrence and returned to the city as an adult after working for the governor’s constituent service office in Montpelier, Vermont. He graduated from Middlebury College with a degree in political science and currently works as a tutor, helping students prepare for standardized tests and tutoring them in other subjects.
As a commissioner, Matthews said it’s important to have an open mind and be willing to compromise, listen and work together. He said he will make it a priority to consider all points of view and options for addressing issues.
Regarding renewable energy, Matthews told the Journal-World that the issue of wind and solar energy in Douglas County has been a contentious one. He said the county has a responsibility to ensure that property owners are not confronted with developments that will impact their health and their property. At the same time, he said the county needs to support clean energy and accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewables.
In response to a Journal-World questionnaire, Matthews said an issue Douglas County needs to focus on is strengthening its Open Space Plan to preserve prairies, historic sites, trails and more.
“Douglas County is home to beautiful forest and prairie lands, but these are at risk of being depleted if we don’t make public land conservation a priority,” Matthews told the Journal-World. “Having areas for recreation is vital for the health of our communities and for the health of our natural ecosystems.”
