[updated 7/24/06]
By Diane Silver
To see the first part in this background briefing on the election, look here.
When last we met, we discussed how Kansas is holding what amounts to a referendum on evolution and the religious right's education agenda. For those of us who find the idea of a religiously based public school system frightening, the issue has become: Who should we support and what can we do to help? The tasks are easy.
If you live in Kansas, educate yourself, vote, give money and work for the right candidate.
If you are outside of Kansas, learn about the candidates and provide financial support.
The contribution limit is $500 each for the primary and the general elections
Perhaps this FAQ can be of some help.
1. Who are the moderate candidates?
MAIN*PAC, which is affiliated with the moderate MAINstream Coalition, the Kansas Alliance for Education and the Kansas City Star have all endorsed the following candidates in contested primaries.
District 1 * Incumbent Democrat Janet Waugh of Kansas City
District 3 * Republican challenger Harry McDonald of Olathe
District 5 * Republican challenger Sally Cauble of Liberal
District 7 * Republican challenger Donna Viola of Hutchinson
District 9 * Republican challenger Jana Shaver of Independence
The Wichita Eagle has endorsed Viola for District 7. The Eagle did not print endorsements for any of the other primary races.
2. Who are the anti-evolution candidates?
District 3 * Incumbent John Bacon of Olathe
District 5 * Incumbent Connie Morris of St. Francis
District 7 * Incumbent Ken Willard of Hutchinson
District 9 * Incumbent Iris Van Meter decided not to run again. Her son-in-law Brad Patzer of Neodesha supports her agenda and is running in her place.
3. Detail, detail! Tell us about the moderates and where we can go to donate to their cause.
-->District 1 * Leavenworth, Wyandotte and parts of Douglas counties.
Incumbent Democrat Janet Waugh
http://www.janetwaugh.com/
JWaugh1052@aol.com
916 So. 57th Terrace
Kansas City, Kansas 66106
Waugh has been involved with schools and children for more than 30 years. Prior to joining the State Board of Education in 1999, Janet served for more than 15 years on the Turner Board of Education including eight years as president.
She also held state and regional offices for the PTA and served on various committees with the Kansas Association of School Boards. She has coached and managed ball teams, served as Sunday School Superintendent and for the past six years has served as a Youth Friend.
Waugh manages a family business, Sav-On Auto Sales, and is a member of the Kansas Independent Automobile Dealers Association.
MAIN*PAC says that the religious right is collecting money and organizing for Waugh's opponent.
-->District 3 * southern Johnson County, Miami and Linn counties
Republican challenger Harry McDonald
http://www.electharrymcdonald.org/
biologycctrack@hotmail.com
Committee to Elect Harry McDonald
P.O. Box 4017
Olathe, KS 66063
A science teacher and educator for his entire professional career, McDonald taught for 30 years at Blue Valley High School in suburban Kansas City. Among other subjects, he taught biology, zoology, botany and chemistry and coached high school track and cross country.
-->District 5 * Includes almost the entire western half of Kansas
Republican Sally Cauble
http://www.caubleforcommonsense.com/
info@caubleforcommonsense.com
P.O. Box 1085
Liberal, KS 67905
A native of western Kansas, Cauble earned a BA in elementary education from Southwestern College in Winfield. She taught elementary school for 10 years. She served on the Liberal School Board for eight years and on the Southwestern College Board of Trustees for nine years.
Among other activities, Cauble has also served on the Seward County United Way Board of Trustees and as Christian Education Director at the First United Methodist Church.
Because of the overwhelming Republican presence in western Kansas, this race will probably be won or lost in the primary.
-->District 7 * Central Kansas, including Harvey, Reno & McPherson counties & extending south to Kingman, Pratt and Harper counties.
Donna Viola
PO Box 292
McPherson, KS 67460
dviola1@cox.net
Viola is a member of the McPherson School Board, a small business owner and a lifelong Kansan.
-->District 9 * Runs from the Salina area to north Wichita
Jana Shaver
http://www.janashaver.com/
PO Box 304
Independence, KS 67301
janashaver@cableone.net.
Shaver grew up in Fredonia and earned BS, MS and specialist in education degrees from Pittsburg State University. She taught second grade for eight years and worked as a reading specialist for five years before working as curriculum director for Independence schools for 14 years.
She is president of the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees, past chair of the Independence Community College Board of Trustees and has served on numerous other boards. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church.
4. What can I do?
Give money to the moderate candidates. If you're in Kansas, volunteer to walk, stuff envelopes or join a phone bank. Even a few hours will help.
To volunteer or donate, contact the candidates directly or work with MAIN*PAC or the Kansas Alliance for Education.
5. Where can I get the best information?
The best source? In This Moment, of course!
Actually, I have to admit that the best blogger coverage is coming from Red State Rabble. Also check out Thoughts From Kansas. Other, slightly slower, sources are such mainstream media as the Lawrence Journal-World, Topeka Capital Journal, Wichita Eagle and Kansas City Star.
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4 comments:
Great summary - thanks!
That's all the info I need in one place. Thanks.
Now if you just had a feed...
Donna Viola's e-mail address is posted incorrect. It is dviola1@cox.net
Thanks for the information on Donna viola's email address. It has been corrected in the post.
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