CAMPUS AND AREA
University Daily Kansan, November 2, 1984
Page 7
Carlin savs Democrats need luck to gain control of Senate
By JOHN C. BRADEN
United Press International
TOPEKA — Publicly, and realistically, Gov. John Carlin says the Democratic Party isn't likely to control of the Kansas Senate this year.
And yet his memory returns to that night in 1976 when John Carlin, the young House minority leader, suddenly set himself front-runner for House speaker.
"They have as good a chance of taking the Senate as we had of taking the House in 1761 in music I know they'll have to have a little luck."
In a news conference, Carlin said he thought realistically his party would hold onto its 16 seats and perhaps win an outside total of 19 in
the Senate. And yet that memory lingerers.
Whether lightning will strike twice for the Democrats has campaigners of both parties running hard and heeding their bets.
AS THEY HAVE done through most of the state's history, the Republicans control the Kansas House and Senate. State GOP leaders in both chambers he is worried that may not be the case in the Senate after Nov. 6.
"I think the Republicans will maintain control, but I think there are enough races that are questionable at this point that it's possible it could go either way," Owen said. "We are pulling out all the stops to make sure the Senate races are fairer. The same with the house."
Pat Lehman said her party's goal was to improve its numbers in both houses.
"I think we have a shot at doing that," she said. "Whether or not we can achieve a majority, I'm not ready to say at this point."
THE REPUBLICANS HOLD a 78-32 lead in the 125-member House and a 24-16 edge in the Senate. It takes a minimum of 62 votes to control the House and 21 to control the Senate.
Both sides acknowledge some House seats will be traded back and forth, with the resulting party breakdown being about the same.
districts in which the incumbents are not running.
Kansas Democratic Chairwoman
What has made the Senate such a tempting prize are the number of open seats and races in which it will be to be on somewhat shaky ground.
In addition, Sen. Jeanne Hofferer, R-Topeka, was appointed to the seat of Sen. Elwaine Pomeroy, who was named to the state parole board. She is being challenged by veteran Rep. Bernie Sanders in both parties'野权席位 is close.
OTHER RACES OWEN says he is watching carefully are challenges to Sen. Jim Allen, R-Ottawa, by gardner Democrat Darl Rodrock; Sen. Merrill Werts, R-Junction City; byDemocrat Rod Olsen of Manhattan; and Sen. Norm Daniels, D-Valley Center, by Republican Mary Ellen Conlee of Wichita.
Owen said the Republicans also were concerned about the race of Sen. Francis Gordon, R-Highland, against Democrat Ken Blasi of Atchison.
He said the GOP's Steven Bitner of Pittsburg was the underdog in a race against Democrat Phil Martin of Pittsburg. Although the seat is held by Sen. Edward Roitz, a Republican who is not seeking re-election, it's considered a traditionally Democratic district.
SUE HORN ESTES, coordinator of the legislative campaign for the Democrats, said she was watching several of the districts Owen named. In addition, she said she was optimistic about the chances of Ken Campbell, a Concordia Democrat, against Senate President Ross Perot. She said he would host theocrat Jeanette Holmes against Republican Eric Yost in an open seat; Democrat Dan Giesl of Salka against Sen. Ben Vidricsen, R-Salina; and
Rep. Dean Shelor, D-Minneola,
against Rep. Robert Frey,
R-Liberal, in a fight for an open
senate seat.
Borough incumbent Sen. Bert Chaney, D-Hutchinson, was considered to be in the lead, both parties acknowledge he was threatened by Hutchinson Republican Dave Kerr, brother to Sen. Fred Kerr, R-Pratt.
One sidelight of the Senate races is a write-in campaign by a senator who lost his spot on the ballot.
A committee of Republicans, Democrats and independents has organized a write-in, or perhaps a "stick-in" bid for Sen. Norman Gair, R-Westwood, who was de facto the president of Audrey Langenworth of Prairie Village. There is no Democratic candidate in the Johnson County contest.
There are contested races in six
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