More Kansas Republicans switching sides

[Jon8503]

by kos
Tue Jun 13, 2006 at 01:13:05 PM PDT

It may be a trickle, but there's enough of it that it's threatening to become a trend.

Just prior to Monday's filing deadline, Abilene City Council member Judy Leyerzapf joined the trickle of Republicans going Democrat in Kansas.

Leyerzapf was among five legislative candidates who have switched to the state's minority party recently to run for a House seat.

The defections follow another last year by former Republican Steve Lukert of Sabetha, who became a Democrat and was selected by the local party to replace outgoing Rep. Bruce Larkin, D-Baileyville.

Democrats also have welcomed former Republicans as their candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general.

Both long-time Democrats and former Republicans seeking state office for the first time said recent calls from the governor factored into their decision to run.

"She said, 'We need ya,' " recalled physician Merle Hodges Sr., a former Salina mayor and Democrat who has considered running for years. "She's a very convincing lady."

That candidate for lieutenant governor is a former chair of the state Republican Party. This is a significant trend. Here's the roster of Kansas Republicans who saw the light:

1) Mark Parkinson, former Kansas Republican Party Chairman and Republican legislator, who is running for lt. governor

2) Paul Morrison, current Johnson County district attorney, running for attorney general

3) Steve Lukert, seeking re-election in the 62nd House district

4) Cindy Neighbor, former Republican legislator running to again represent the 18th House district

5) Duane Mathes, current Edwards county commissioner, running in the 117th House district

6) Judy Leyerzapf, current Abilene city commissioner, running in the 68th House District

7)Kent Goyen, running in the 114th House District; and

8)Walt Chappell, running in the 91st House District.

9) Brenton Weeks, running in the 29th House District

And, incidentally, this makes Kathleen Sebelius that much more attractive as a potential vice presidential candidate in 2008. Talk about someone with results.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/6/13/16135/8144

[MuseRider]

1. I wish this didn't

make me so nervous. The Republicans here would not stop at anything (or anywhere else these days I am certain) and would consider taking over our party from the inside. That being said I will trust this with a lot of skepticism and hope for the best. There are some very good and trustworthy Republicans out there, I hope they all fall within that group. I don't like their ideas but they are at least honest and reasonable. I can see why they would flee.

It is easy to think that any rational person would run from the Rep platform but we are talking about Republicans here with lots of dirty tricks up their sleeves. Hmmmm, I am very nervous about this.