Follow the money

We will have a story on campaign finance reports from all candidates, but the Sec. of State has those for state offices on the Web already.

Big story

Blockbuster story coming on the sheriff's race, but you'll have to wait until publishing time. sHere' the looong, but informative report from the KSOK debate Tuesday night

I'm back

from vacation. In Maine, there are more Obama bumper stickers than McCain, which I didn't mind :)

Anyway, the primary races are upon us. County Commission District 3 has two contested primaries. Here and here are the GOPers. Hereand here are sheriff candidates.

Look for stories on debates/forums coming up at KSOK and fair. The candidates latest fundraising and spending reports are also available at the County Clerk's office. We should have stories soon on those (and hopefully get them online)

Vacation

I'm on vacation until the 28th. I might try to post something, but don't count on it. This means your posts will have to wait a few days. Sorry but I don't have a fill in.

-David Allen

A Senate takeover?

Interesting AP story yesterday about the Kansas Republican Assembly, the more conservation wing of the party. They are on the offensive in this campaign against the moderates, who control the state Senate. They've endorsed Kasha Kasha and Steve Abrams, according to their Web site. The counter group, Kansas for a Traditional Republican Majority, also a Web site (not very developed, though)



Because of this split, you'll have the odd occurance where Senate Republican leaders will support, if not in dollars, in spirit, Democrats such as Greta Goodwin here in Cowley County, because they do not want to lose control to theright wing of the Party, which Abrams represents.

Courting Kathleen

Sebelius apparently really IS in the running for Obama's Veep, the Boston Globe reports
The story mentions political symbolism and photo ops. Doesn't get any better than the one in Ark City last week.

Election Center

Check out our campaign site. Let me know if you have any suggestions for it

Gov. in town

Governor Sebelius was in Ark City for a ceremonial signing of a new law that strengthens anti-stalking laws, passed after Jodi Sanderholm's death.

I've got to say that Kasha Kelley, who introduced the bill and sheperded it though the House, was dissed by not being asked to comment or given proper credit by the Democrats in the room. A high level Democrat not part of the ceremony made it a point to tell me it was unfair. (don't want their name used)

Learning about Leach

Here's my story on the George Leach, who faces Steve Abrams in the Republican primary for the 32nd District. He's pretty green.

Forums at the Fair

The chambers of commerce are holding political forums during the fair. One for county candidates, one for state candidates. Here's the newsletter with the info

Abrams-Leach

Hard to believe the primary is a month away. The sheriff's race is getting most of the attention, but I think a fascinating contest is the Republican primary for state senate. Steve Abrams is the front-runner of course. But he's such a divisive figure that it will be interesting to see how George Leach, an unknown figure from Mulvane,will do. Leach hasn't done any campaigning yet (none down here, at least) and we haven't had any stories on him (coming soon. He told me the other day he doesn't think people are taking him seriously. I also heard that Republican party leaders were upset with him because he didn't consult them before he filed. They probably wanted Abrams to walk surefooted into the general to face Goodwin, which will be a barn-burner of an election, I'm sure.

Sheriff's race

Got be Republican or "unaffiliated" to weigh on the big sheriff's race in Aug. Story here

Burr on offense

Gene Burr, who faces Kasha Kelley in the general election for state house rep., sent out a fundraising letter that challenges Kelley's performance. Fundraising solicitations are often negative. My wife and I were included probably because we're both registered Democrats. (I switched from independent to caucus for Obama in Feb.)

The letter accuses Kasha of following her party blindly, but doesn't get specific. I think Gene should offer more details, so we'll be asking him.