Shrinking government and cutting spending are campaign issues for Republican gubernatorial candidate Kris Kobach. He told a Kansas Association of Broadcasters debate the state does not have a revenue problem but instead has a spending problem.
Kobach noted he could move toward the dual goals of shrinking government and cutting spending immediately if elected. “If I am governor I will solve Kansas’ spending problem and in doing that we will be able to return benefits to the people of Kansas in the form of tax cuts.”
Democratic candidate Laura Kelly said she wants to ensure that every Kansan has the same opportunities to succeed. She pointed to the past eight years where problems in Kansas ranged from the roads to healthcare through what she called “the Brownback tax experiment.” Referring to Kobach she noted does this state end the experiment, “once and for all and continue on the road to recovery or do we hand the wheel to a man who has every intention of driving us back into the ditch.” She pointed to a strong record of bringing Republicans and Democrats together to solve problems, and noted she would focus on getting the state back on track through roads, jobs and schools.
Independent candidate Greg Orman said the governor has 165 partners in the legislature when it comes to creating policy, but where the governor stands alone is in managing and getting better performance out of the $17 billion enterprise called the State of Kansas. He added he is the only candidate on-stage who has the track record to do that task. “I’ve spent my life in the private sector growing, managing and improving companies both large and small. I’m the only candidate running for governor who has managed a billion dollar organization, I’m the only candidate who’s created hundreds of jobs and made decisions on where to locate businesses and factories.” Orman said he is the only gubernatorial candidate with a real plan to grow the economy, and he’s been specific on where money can be saved.
The DoubleTree by Hilton Airport Hotel in Wichita served as the site for the debate which was also aired on 1420 KJCK AM in Junction City.