How Republican candidates in Reno County legislative forum

Dan Deming
| Special to the Hutchinson News

Seldom has been there a Reno County legislative forum like one recently staged by the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce.

Near unanimous agreement on virtually every issue, overflowing civility among the six candidates with several continuously clapping for one another, everyone vowing property tax cuts will be their top priority, informal attire on stage with only one suit-coat and one necktie, and a majority invoking God and religion as instrumental in why they are running for office.

I’m all for faithful Christians extending their commitment to politics, but campaigning strongly under that banner is questionable and perhaps best avoided.

Maybe I’m wrong, but it seems to me that God is way too busy to be calling certain candidates to run for office and office seekers shouldn’t be proclaiming purity.

The 34th District state senate Republican primary, which includes all of Reno County and portions of Kingman County, is shaping up to be the most interesting contest. There will be a Democrat opponent, Shanna Henry, of rural Kingman County, but whoever wins the Republican primary will be a heavy favorite.

Hutchinson insurance executive Bob Fee is facing state Rep. Mike Murphy, a Sylvia bed and breakfast owner. They are hoping to replace Mark Steffen, who didn’t seek re-election.

Steffen has been an embarrassment to Reno County as an ineffective state senator, ignored by his colleagues, unwilling to attend Hutch Chamber and other public meetings to answer questions and defend his often radical ultra-conservative positions. Having someone else representing us is a Godsend and much anticipated.

Fee has a long record of community and insurance industry service and of all hopefuls at the forum gave the most direct answers. Former airline captain Murphy seems to have a grass-roots conservative appeal and plain speaking in advancing his ideas, both of which could serve him well on Election Day.

Only one candidate did much verbal swinging during the get-acquainted forum but not at his primary opponent. Kyler Sweely appears eager to take on incumbent Rep. Jason Probst, whose more liberal stance on several issues drew closing argument fire from Sweely.

But first, Sweely must get by his primary opponent, Tyson Thrall, whose interests seem more aligned with fighting Washington than topics Topeka has much control over. Concerns and comments from both 102nd District candidates were similar, and both are fighting for name identification with scant past community involvement.

Trying to take over the 114th District, where Murphy has camped out the past four years, are two men from the most rural areas of Reno County. Steve Schweizer is from Plevna and Kevin Schwertfeger from Turon. Both have either township, Republican party or volunteer fire experience coupled with ag interests.

Both echoed each others’ concerns and couldn’t have been kinder to their opponent during the forum, making some wonder whether there’s only a coin-toss difference between the two. Either Schwertfeger or Schweizer will be representing us since no Democrat filed in that district. All is on the line for 114th representative in the Aug. 6 election.

It’s tempting to conclude there doesn’t appear to be much difference in political positions among all six candidates who agreed (to no one’s surprise) on lower property taxes but also keeping recreational marijuana use illegal (although some said they might be persuaded to support medical marijuana use) and, somewhat surprisingly, all oppose Medicaid expansion.

When Democrats are thrown into the mix for the November general ballots, look for major clashes between those running for Senate in Reno County and in the 102th and 104th House districts.

Get to know the people running in your voting area. May the most qualified and capable of listening to and serving the best interests of their constituents win.

Dan Deming, former general manager of Hutchinson radio station KWBW and former Reno County commissioner, can be reached at 620-960-6733 or [email protected].

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How Republican candidates in Reno County legislative forum

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