Big First hopefuls debate at FHSU
By KALEY CONNER
About 200 people gathered at Fort Hays State University's Memorial Union ballroom Monday evening for the first forum of the campaign season featuring all eight candidates running to represent the Big First Congressional district.
With seven Republicans and one Democrat throwing their hats into the ring, the event provided voters an opportunity to become acquainted with the candidates prior to the Aug. 3 primary election.
"I thought this was a really prime opportunity to hear all of the candidates -- not just one or two. To hear where they're coming from, to hear what their platform is," said Hays resident Chris Burger. "And of course, the most important to me is whether they follow through with it."
Throughout the 90-minute forum, candidates were given brief opportunities to address a laundry list of current political issues. The questions were prepared by the event sponsors and asked by Kent Steward, director of FHSU university relations.
The topics included health care insurance reform policy, a proposed cap-and-trade energy plan, illegal immigration, and preserving prosperous business in rural America.
Candidates also were given two minutes to introduce themselves and their platforms to the audience. The event was broadcast live on Smoky Hills Public Television.
Rob Wasinger, a Republican from Cottonwood Falls, said his top legislative priority would be a new homestead act, geared towards protecting rural representation in Congress.
"My plan, the new homestead act, would help stem this problem by putting tax policies and incentives in place to attract people back to out-migration counties," Wasinger said.
Next up was Tracy Mann, a Quinter native who now resides in Salina. The Republican said he would draw on his farming and business background in setting policy.
"I believe that agriculture needs strong advocates; people who are going to stand up for the bedrock of our economy," Mann said. "And small businesses also need advocates that understand what they go through."
Kansas Senator Jim Barnett, R-Emporia, said one of his chief concerns pertains to the new health insurance reform law. Barnett is retiring after working 28 years as a physician.
"I have great concerns about the Obama health care plan. We need health care reform, but that's a bad plan," he said. "As your congressman, I will fight to repeal it."
Alan Jilka, the lone Democrat, resides in Salina, where he has served three terms on the city commission. He also has worked as a staff member for both Republican and Democratic representatives.
"I think that I'm the best candidate in terms of passion, experience and perspective to represent the citizens of the First District in Washington," Jilka said.
Hays Republican Sue Boldra -- who joked that she is the best man for the job -- said it has always been her dream to run for Congress. The longtime educator has lived in the Big First her entire life.
"I am one of you. I am just like you," Boldra said. "I've done the jobs that you have done. ... I didn't have a silver spoon in my mouth, and I'm the grassroots candidate."
Air Force veteran Marck Cobb is a Republican candidate residing in Galva. He said it's his hope to bring forth "uncommon" sense.
"What I'd like to see going forward is new ideas," he said. "Putting them together so that one plus one equals three."
Monte Shadwick, a Republican who also has served on the Salina City Commission, said he decided to run due to three main issues: government spending, "corrupted" Washington culture and rural representation.
"As Congress becomes more and more urban, we need that voice for rural America that's passionate and wants to tell our story over and over again," he said.
Kansas Senator Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler, is a fifth-generation farmer and rancher. What sets him apart, he said, is his conservative statehouse record.
"I have a proven record fighting for issues and principles we all care about here in the first district," he said. "And that's what makes me different."
The event was sponsored by Hays Area Chamber of Commerce, the FHSU chapter of Collegiate Farm Bureau, the American Democracy Project and the Young Democrats and College Republicans.