Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paul Davis made Junction City a stopping point this week.

Davis said across Kansas he consistently hears that people are concerned about the future of public schools. “They’ve seen the results of the Brownback education cuts, the larger class sizes, the teachers that have been laid off, the test scores that have dropped. They’re really worried about whether their kids and grandkids are going to be able to get the same quality of education that many of us like myself got growing up here in Kansas.”

Davis wants to establish education as a “real” top priority of state government. He noted more than 50% of the state funds are spent on K-12 education.  ‘It’s clearly the most important expenditure that the state makes, and we’ve got to begin to invest in that again, and restore the cuts that have been made.”

Davis has served in the Legislature for 12 years, and pointed to his record of bringing members of both the Republican and Democratic Party together. “We’ve got a lot of Republicans that are supporting our campaign because they know that I’m a consensus builder. I think that’s what the Governor’s office needs right now.”

During his visit Davis touched on subjects ranging the state’s tax plan to the struggles with the Kansas economy.  “I think we need to go back to some of the things that are proven economic models such as having a balanced approach where we’re investing in transportation, and workforce training,  and higher education, as well as K through 12  education.”

In addition to his candidacy for Governor, Davis also serves as the Kansas House Minority Leader.