Voter Guide
Democrats hopeful about new candidates
GOP controls most of state government
By Chad Bettes
Kansan staff writer
In Kansas, Republicans have historically dominated state politics. The tradition continues today, with Republicans controlling the governor's office, the State House and Senate, the entire six-member Congressional delegation and all but one statewide office.
Yet, for Democrats, hope springs eternal.
Brett Cott, executive director of the Kansas Democratic Party, said the party had put together an exciting slate of candidates to compete with Republicans this year.
"If you take a brief look at the Democratic Party and our fate, you might say we're trampled," Cott said. "But we are able to pick and choose our battles and win."
He said Kansans mostly identify themselves as independent thinkers, despite their party affiliation. Cott reminds people voters have at times given Democrats control of the Kansas Legislature and the governorship.
Democrats have not enjoyed control since 1992, the year Republicans began their current resurgence.
Two areas where Cott feels optimistic this year are in State House races,where he predicts a four-to six-seat gain for Democrats and in the 3rd U.S. Congressional District race.
Republican leaders say they will be the ones adding seats in the House and predict another
sweep in the U.S. House races.
The 3rd District, which includes Johnson Douglas, Miami and Wyandotte counties, will be competitive because Democratic candidate Dennis Moore is running a winning campaign. Cott said.
"This race is our most hopeful," Cott said. "Dennis has a professional, committed team of staff and volunteers, and we feel like we're going to win this race."
Cott said Democrats had almost captured the seat in 1996, receiving close to 50 percent of the vote. He hopes to persuade more Republicans and independents to vote for Moore this time.
Republicans are not conceding the contest and insist they have a winner in incumbent U.S. Rep. Vince Snowbarger.
Ward Cook, president of KU College Republicans, said Moore was a threat but said he had his work cut out for him in pulling off an upset.
"I can't see the 3rd District voting for a Democrat." Cook said.
Steve Abrams, chairman of the Kansas Republican Party, said,"Congressman Snowbarger has voted and continues to vote for those things people agree with. Ultimately, that's what it's going to come down to."
Burdett Loomis, professor of political science, said that times are not great for the Democratic Party but that Moore did have a chance, especially because of his fund-raising efforts.
"Raising $1 million almost by definition makes you competitive," Loomis said.
Loomis said $1 million is the amount Moore
plans on raising by the end of the campaign.
A bright spot for the Democrats is Kathleen Sebelius, the commissioner of insurance and the only statewide officeholder for the party, Loomis said.
He predicted that, barring a miracle, Sebelius would be re-elected handily. Loomis did not hold high hopes for other Democrats, in part due to the thriving state economy.
"They need some things going for them," Loomis said. "There are not many chinks in the Republican armor."
Loomis said Democrats are not mounting close challenges in other marquee races. Gov Bill Graves, U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback and U.S. Reps. Jerry Moran, Jim Ryun and Todd Tiahrt are all considered to have comfortable leads.
Cott said the issues that Democrats are emphasizing in this election are increasing the focus on education, lowering the sales tax on food, placing a moratorium on corporate hog farming and paying off state debt held in bonds.
Phil Stephenson, president of KU Young Democrats, said these are issues that affect people's daily lives.
He said that Democrats have made education their No.1 priority and that the party is running on issues close to home.
He said the party wants to change and reform government,but it doesn't want to do it in a drastic way that would have an adverse impact on people.
Abrams said the Republicans will continue running on their party's traditional themes of smaller government, lower taxes and high-
quality education. He said Republican candidates are also sensitive to the corporate hogfarm issue and will listen to the people in their districts for an equitable solution between business and community interests.
Cook said the recent Republican record on financial aid and student loan programs should appeal to students and the higher education community.
He said President Clinton had been taking credit for Republican ideas and efforts in this area and others.
According to the secretary of state's office in Topeka, registered Republicans number 662,920 while there are 426,199 registered Democrats. There are 393,473 independent voters. Three other parties recognized in Kansas — Libertarian, Reform and Taxpayers — have a combined registration of less than 11,200.
Lawrence Delegation to the Kansas Legislature
Barbara W. Ballard
Minority Caucus Chairperson Democrat House District No.44
**Phone** 785.296.7650
**Fax** 785.296.0251
e-mail rep_barbara_ballard@mail.ksleg.state.ks.us
Personal:
Born November 14, 1944. Petersburg, Virginia
Family:
Married, Aibert; one child
Occupation:
University administrator
Political and governmental experience:
Elected to the Kansas House of Representatives,
1992; Lawrence Unified School District No. 497,
board member, 1985-1993
District registration
Republicans 7,116 (41%)
Democrats 4,784 (28%)
Libertarians 149 (1%)
Unaffiliated 5,313 (31%)
Other 15 (0%)
Total 7,377
Troy Findley
Democrat House District No. 46
**Phone** 785.296.7650
**Fax** 785.296.0251
**e-mail** rep_troy_findley@mail.ksleg.state.ks.us
Personal:
Born July 11, 1964. Lawrence, Kansas
Family:
Married, Jennifer
Occupation:
Bank employee
Political and governmental experience:
Elected to the Kansas House of Representatives,
1994; Douglas County Democratic Central Committee,
1992 to present
District registration
Republicans 3,581 (25%)
Democrats 4,825 (33%)
Libertarians 260 (2%)
Unaffiliated 5,756 (40%)
Other 10 (0%)
Total 14,432
Tom Sloan
Republican House District No.45
Phone 785.296.7677
Fax 785.296.1154
e-mail tsloan@ink.org
Personal:
Born March 5, 1946. Huntington, New York
Family:
Married, Gail; three children
Occupation:
Communications consultant and farmer
Political and governmental experience:
Elected to the Kansas House of Representatives,
1994; Office of Kansas Senate President,
chief-of-staff, 1984-1988; Douglas County Rural
Water District No. 1, board member
District registration
Republicans 5,216 (36%)
Democrats 4,397 (31%)
Libertarians 172 (1%)
Unaffiliated 4,555 (32%)
Other 18 (0%)
Total 14,358
Thursday, October 29, 1998
The University Daily Kansan/ SLAB
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