Here’s Equality Kansas PAC’s endorsements for the 2020 General Election on November 3. Those of you who have followed our process in previous years will find a new addition to our endorsements this year: We have given a brief description of why or how each candidate has qualified for our endorsement. For incumbents with mixed voting records, we take a bit of a “deeper dive” into why we have chosen to endorse.
When making endorsements, we consider a number of factors in weighing our decisions. In order of importance, we consider:
- Voting record as a public official, and whether the candidate is a “friendly incumbent” running for reelection to their current office, who has voted for policies that are important to our mission. Issues evaluated are primarily non-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, school bullying prevention inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity, and relationship recognition.
- Incumbent or former office holders who are running for a new office are evaluated on their historic voting record.
- Membership in Equality Kansas, or whether a candidate is openly LGBTQ;
- Responses to policy questionnaires sent to all candidates immediately after the June filing deadline (NOTE: A few candidates sent their questionnaires in well over a month past the deadline, and were not considered for endorsement);
- Public statements regarding LGBTQ equality issues.
Most endorsements decisions are relatively simple, especially for incumbents: They either vote with us or against us.
For newcomers, their questionnaire responses are key to our decision‑making process. We also consider voting records in prior offices held when a candidate is running for a different or higher office. You can view this year’s questionnaries at https://eqks.org/2020/06/11/2020-candidate-questionnaires/
While we will consider public statements made by candidates, we never base our endorsements on private assurances of support.
We do not endorse in races where we either lack information on candidates or where we believe no candidate will represent the interests of the Kansas LGBTQ population.
Our endorsements are for the benefit of our membership, the Kansas LGBTQ community, and our friends and families. We do not consider whether a candidate has sought our endorsement, nor do we withhold endorsements at any candidate request.
No matter who you vote for, get out and vote! Nothing changes in Kansas without your active participation.
| Kansas Senate District 1
Kirk Miller (Democratic, Havensville) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses |
| Kansas Senate District 2
Marci Francisco (Democratic, Lawrence) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas Senate District 3
Tom Holland (Democratic, Baldwin City) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on voting record. In 2004 and 2005, then-Representative Holland voted in favor of the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Since that time, however, his voting record has been consistently in favor of LGBTQ equality. |
| Kansas Senate District 4
David Haley (Democratic, Kansas City) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas Senate District 5
Jeffrey Pittman (Democratic, Leavenworth) Running for higher office Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas Senate District 6
Pat Pettey (Democratic, Kansas City) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas Senate District 7
Ethan Corson (Democratic, Fairway) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses and membership in Equality Kansas. |
| Kansas Senate District 8
Cindy Holscher (Democratic, Overland Park) Running for higher office Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas Senate District 9
Stacey Knoell (Democratic, Olathe) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas Senate District 10
Lindsey Constance (Democratic, Shawnee) Running for higher office Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: As a member of the Shawnee City Council, Lindsey Constance was instrumental in advocating for and passing a municipal non-discrimination ordinance inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity. |
| Kansas Senate District 11
Joy Koesten (Democratic, Leawood) Running for higher office Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. As a state representative, Koesten was a vocal opponent to the 2018 adoption discrimination bill. |
| Kansas Senate District 12
Mike Bruner (Democratic, Humboldt) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses |
| Kansas Senate District 17
Stephen Vecchione (Democratic, Emporia) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses |
| Kansas Senate District 18
Tobias Schlingensiepen (Democratic, Topeka) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses |
| Kansas Senate District 19
Anthony Hensley (Democratic, Topeka) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses |
| Kansas Senate District 20
Brenda S. Dietrich (Republican, Topeka) Running for higher office Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: As a state representative, Brenda Dietrich’s voting record on most LGBTQ issues has been disappointing. She has, however, been a staunch and extraordinarily helpful ally in writing, introducing, and advocating for EQKS-backed bullying prevention legislation.
Further, Dietrich did not return either our 2018 or 2020 questionnaires; however, she answered “Yes” to the Mainstream Coalition’s questionnaire, which included our question on adding sexual orientation and gender identity to Kansas’ non-discrimination laws. This was a difficult call for our organization, as her general election opponent submitted excellent questionnaire responses. In the end, we chose to support Representative Dietrich’s bid for the senate, and hope to improve upon what’s been a productive relationship to date. |
| Kansas Senate District 21
Dinah Sykes (Democratic, Lenexa) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas Senate District 22
Tom Hawk (Democratic, Manhattan) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas Senate District 23
Wendy Budetti (Democratic, Olathe) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses and membership in Equality Kansas. Ms Budetti and her family have spent the past few years as strong advocates for LGBTQ equality. |
| Kansas Senate District 25
Mary Ware (Democratic, Wichita) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas Senate District 27
Mike McCorkle (Democratic, Wichita) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses |
| Kansas Senate District 28
Jim Ward (Democratic, Wichita) Running for higher office Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on voting record. In 2004 and 2005, then-Representative Ward voted in favor of the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Since that time, however, his voting record has been consistently in favor of LGBTQ equality, and in recent years he has taken a leading role as an advocate for our mission. |
| Kansas Senate District 29
Oletha Faust Goudeau (Democratic, Wichita) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas Senate District 30
Melissa Gregory (Democratic, Wichita) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas Senate District 31
Carolyn McGinn (Republican, Sedgwick) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on voting record. In 2004 and 2005, Senator McGinn voted in favor of the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Since that time, however, her voting record has been consistently in favor of LGBTQ equality. |
| Kansas Senate District 34
Shanna Henry (Democratic, Cheney) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses and membership in organizations supportive of LGBTQ equality. |
| Kansas Senate District 37
Becca Peck (Democratic, Overland Park) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas Senate District 40
Larry Joseph Dreiling (Democratic, Hays) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 2
Kenneth Collins (Republican, Mulberry) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 3
Monica Murnan (Democratic, Pittsburg) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 4
Bill Meyer (Democratic, Fort Scott) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 5
Mark Samsel (Republican, Wellsville) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: As a state representative, Mark Samsel’s voting record on LGBTQ issues has been disappointing. He has, however, been a staunch and extraordinarily helpful ally in writing, introducing, and advocating EQKS-backed bullying prevention legislation. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 9
Kent L. Thompson (Republican, La Harpe) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 10
Christina Haswood (Democratic, Lawrence) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 13
Mark Pringle (Democratic, Yates Center) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 14
Angela Justus Schweller (Democratic, Lenexa) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 15
Cole Fine (Democratic, Olathe) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 16
Linda Featherston (Democratic, Overland Park) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 17
Jo Ella Hoye (Democratic, Lenexa) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 18
Cindy Neighbor (Democratic, Shawnee) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 19
Stephanie Sawyer Clayton (Democratic, Overland Park) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 20
Mari-Lynn Poskin (Democratic, Leawood) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 21
Jerry Stogsdill (Democratic, Prairie Village) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 22
Lindsay Vaughn (Democratic, Overland Park) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 23
Susan Ruiz (Democratic, Shawnee) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. Represenative Ruiz is one of Kansas’ first two openly LGBTQ members of the Kansas legislature. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 24
Jarrod Ousley (Democratic, Merriam) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 25
Rui Xu (Democratic, Westwood) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 26
W. Michael Shimeall (Democratic, Olathe) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 27
Sona Patel (Democratic, Overland Park) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. While her opponent has sometimes been helpful on bullying prevention legislation, it does not overcome his votes for adoption discrimination and against discrimination protections. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 28
Sally Jercha (Democratic, Leawood) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 29
Brett Parker (Democratic, Overland Park) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 30
Brandon Woodard (Democratic, Lenexa) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. Represenative Woodard is one of Kansas’ first two openly LGBTQ members of the Kansas legislature and a member of Equality Kansas. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 31
Louis E. Ruiz (Democratic, Kansas City) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 32
Pam Curtis (Democratic, Kansas City) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 33
Tom Burroughs (Democratic, Kansas City) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on recent voting record and 2020 questionnaire responses. Between 2004 and 2013, Representative Burroughs voted in favor of the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and at least two anti-LGBTQ “religious freedom” bills. Since that time, however, his voting record has been consistently in favor of LGBTQ equality. We believe Burroughs deserves to serve another term in Topeka. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 34
Valdenia C. Winn (Democratic, Kansas City) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 35
Broderick Henderson (Democratic, Kansas City) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on voting record. In 2004 and 2005, Representative Henderson voted in favor of the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Since that time, however, his voting record has been consistently in favor of LGBTQ equality. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 36
Kathy Wolfe Moore (Democratic, Kansas City) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 38
Sherri D. Grogan (Democratic, Basehor) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 39
Les Lampe (Democratic, Shawnee) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses and advocacy for local non-discrimination ordinances in Johnson County. Mr. Lampe is also a member of Equality Kansas. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 40
Joana Scholtz (Democratic, Leavenworth) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 41
Mike Griswold (Democratic, Leavenworth) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 43
Pamela Finley (Democratic, Edgerton) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 44
Barbara W. Ballard (Democratic, Lawrence) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 45
Mike Amyx (Democratic, Lawrence) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 46
Dennis “Boog” Highberger (Democratic, Lawrence) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record, past public statements and advocacy for the LGBTQ community, and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 48
Jennifer Day (Democratic, Overland Park) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 49
Katie Dixon (Democratic, Olathe) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses, membership in Equality Kansas, and openly LGBTQ. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 52
Mary Lou Davis (Democratic, Topeka) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 53
Jim Gartner (Democratic, Topeka) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 54
John Brosz (Democratic, Topeka) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 55
Annie Kuether (Democratic, Topeka) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 56
Virgil Weigel (Democratic, Topeka) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 57
John Alcala (Democratic, Topeka) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 58
Vic Miller (Democratic, Topeka) Previous officeholder Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 59
Blaine Finch (Republican, Ottawa) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: First sworn into office in 2013, Speaker of the House Pro Tem Finch voted against the 2014 “religious freedom” bill, HB2453, against 2016’s “campus religious freedom” bill, and yes on 2019’s amendment adding sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination protections to an unrelated bill. In 2018, he first voted against the adoption discrimination bill, but was a deciding vote in favor when it came back up a month later. We believe Speaker Pro Tem Finch’s record in favor of LGBTQ equality outweighs his 2018 vote, and endorse him for reelection. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 60
Todd Maddox (Democratic, Emporia) Endorsed for the general election as a dual endorsement |
Endorsement Notes: In Equality Kansas’ early years, finding candidates worth endorsing was difficult. Finding incumbent officeholders was even more of a challenge. Finding “out” members of the LGBTQ community to run for office was next to impossible. Fortunately for us, the world has changed, and sometimes we are fortunate to have a friendly incumbent from one party and an out member of our community from the other. That’s the case in Emporia this year, where Rep Mark Schreiber, who has a 100% pro-LGBTQ voting record, is being challenged by openly-gay Todd Maddox. Faced with an impossible choice, we are endorsing both men, as we believe they will both make fine representatives who will both be strong advocates for our community. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 60
Mark A. Schreiber (Republican, Emporia) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election as a dual endorsement |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 64
Jim Vathauer (Democratic, Clay Center) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 66
Sydney Carlin (Democratic, Manhattan) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 67
Cheryl A. Arthur (Democratic, Manhattan) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 68
Dave Baker (Republican, Council Grove) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 69
Ryan Holmquist (Democratic, Salina) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses, and being openly LGBTQ. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 70
John E Barker (Republican, Abilene) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 71
Jeffrey A Zamrzla (Democratic, Salina) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 72
Tim Hodge (Democratic, North Newton) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 78
Kathy Meyer (Democratic, Olathe) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 81
Matthew Joyce (Democratic, Derby) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 83
Henry Helgerson (Democratic, Wichita) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 84
Gail Finney (Democratic, Wichita) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 85
Marcey Gregory (Democratic, Wichita) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 86
Stephanie Byers (Democratic, Wichita) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: A national-award winning advocate for LGBTQ youth, Stephanie Byers, if elected, will be Kansas’ first openly-transgender state legislator. She is an Equality Kansas member and, as you would expect, scored 100% on our candidate questionnaire. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 88
Elizabeth Bishop (Democratic, Wichita) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 89
KC Ohaebosim (Democratic, Wichita) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 92
John Carmichael (Democratic, Wichita) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses, and his membership in Equality Kansas. During his seven years in the Legislature, Representative Carmichael has been one of our most vocal advocates. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 94
Derek Milligan (Democratic, Wichita) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 95
Tom Sawyer (Democratic, Wichita) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 97
Kim Webb (Democratic, Wichita) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 98
Steven G. Crum (Democratic, Haysville) Previous officeholder Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 102
Jason Probst (Democratic, Hutchinson) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 103
Ponka-We Victors (Democratic, Wichita) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on 100% friendly voting record and questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 105
Michelle Snyder (Democratic, Wichita) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 106
James L Swim (Democratic, Marysville) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 111
Eber Phelps (Democratic, Hays) Previous officeholder Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Former state representative Eber Phelps (no relation to a certain Topeka church family) has a voting record that is, at best, disappointingly mixed. In 2005, as Assistant Democratic Leader in the Kansas House, he was a deciding vote to pass the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. In 2009, however, he voted against a ban on domestic partnership registries. However, in 2011 and 2012, he voted in favor of those years’ anti-LGBTQ “religious freedom” bills. In November of 2012, he lost his reelection, was re-elected in 2016, only to lose again in 2018. In the 2018 legislative session, Representative Phelps voted against the adoption discrimination bill. In a surprise to our staff and Kansas Equality PAC board, he submitted a 2020 candidate questionnaire that fully satisfies our requirements for endorsement. As we have said elsewhere in the past, our job is to move elected officials from opponents of LGBTQ equality to supporters. We voted to accept Mr. Phelps’ questionnaire, and his 2018 vote against adoption discrimination, as evidence of an evolved position on LGBTQ rights, and endorse him for 2020. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 116
Rick Roitman (Democratic, Wellington) Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Based on questionnaire responses. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 119
Jan Scoggins (Democratic, Dodge City) Previous officeholder Endorsed for the general election as a dual endorsement |
Endorsement Notes: In March of 2004, then-Representative Scoggins voted against the constitutional amendment banning recognition of same-sex marriage. That vote cost her reelection the following November. Current Representative Bradley Ralph, first elected in 2016 to what had been Scoggins’ seat twelve years earlier, has been a consistent vote for LGBTQ equality. Both representatives faced considerable pressure for their votes; both stood for fairness. While our general rule is to back friendly incumbents, we strongly believe either candidate will serve their Dodge City district – and the Kansas LGBTQ community – well. |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 119
Bradley C. Ralph (Republican, Dodge City) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election as a dual endorsement |
| Kansas House of Representatives District 123
John P. Wheeler Jr. (Republican, Garden City) Current Incumbent Endorsed for the general election |
Endorsement Notes: Representative Wheeler was a vote in favor of the 2018 adoption discrimination bill. In 2019, however, he voted for an amendment adding protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity to an unrelated bill. He has also been a strong supporter in committee for repeal of Kansas’ outdated, unconstitional laws criminalizing same-sex relationships. We believe he has earned your vote. |
