Copy
For more information, visit SharpConnections.biz!

Greetings you lovely voters, you!

 
It’s that time again, ballots are in mailboxes, advance voting in-person began Monday, and the election is a few days away. This message will detail Johnson County races, the next one will be on statewide and out-state House races.
 
What I’m about to share is my own blatant bias. I admit that now. Further disclaimer: I have a business relationship either through my constituent communications app or campaign advising with each of these candidates except the last two. 
 
If you’re looking for no bias, I offer that as well, via KanVote.com/learn where I aggregate candidate surveys, endorsements, articles, and forum videos. Visit www.ksvotes.org to find your party affiliation and House district number, and the JoCo Election site for your sample ballot. 
 
You’ll find a common theme. Most of these candidates are under attack by Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and the KS Chamber of Commerce (NOT our local chambers of commerce) because they are not or will not be puppets. They are independent thinkers who ask tough questions, actively seek and analyze constituent input, and learn the issues instead of being handed a voting sheet and told how to think (this actually happens before votes in the Kansas legislature). People who think are always a threat to those who seek control for personal gain. These groups think you’re stupid. You proved them wrong in 2016 when 10,000 more voters showed up in JoCo alone – that was a big part of helping change Kansas. You must do it again on August 7!
 
Money can’t vote. 
Yard signs in rights-of-way (UGH!) can’t vote.
ONLY YOU can do that!
Let’s prove to the world that Kansas can still be a bastion of pragmatism and sanity!

This email details the Republican races because that’s what I know most about and are typically the most active August races. Though I have opinions on other races, I’m just not connected to the scoop on Democrats, so if you see your sample ballot, check out KanVote.com/learn, and still have a question, reply to this email and I will try to help.
Stephanie Sharp, Owner
Sharp Connections
"Translating Politics Into English"
KanVote.com/learn is a 1-stop candidate research site I've compiled to aggregate publicly-available information on legislative candidates in Kansas. Candidate surveys, forum video, articles, and endorsements are listed for each candidate. If you know of sources I'm missing, please forward to me!
VoteSharp is a constituent communications tool designed to enhance the relationship between elected officials and their constituents. VoteSharp is serving state & local elected officials in nine states.
I present the Sharp Sheet for your reading and voting pleasure (or insomnia cure, your choice)!
House District 5: Anderson, Franklin, Linn, Miami Counties-map
Mark Samsel was born-and-raised in Wellsville. He’s an attorney at Lathrop Gage and spends his “spare” time refereeing at high school sports throughout the district, so he knows every coach, teacher, leader, parent, and everyone in between these rural communities. He’s smart and hard-working, and wants to grow jobs, keep health care facilities open so locals have better access, and help restore budget stability so state employees in the district have stability and we maintain our commitment to KPERS. 
  • Opponent: I really don’t know much about her other than the mail dropping in support of her is from all the groups that want to take our state back to the record debt and sales-tax-hiking ways we’re finally heading out of. No thanks.  
House District 8: OP, Olathe (119th to 159th, mostly Switzer to Pflumm-map) 
Y’all elected a rockstar in Patty Markley in 2016. Patty has proven herself to be a leader who can cross the political divide in the Republican Party, as well as across the state, which is why AFP and the KS Chamber began attacking her just weeks after taking the oath of office in 2016. Again, she’s a threat because she’s effective, knowledgeable, passionate, and works hard for her constituents. 
  • Example: In response to a tragic death in Wichita and a close call in Overland Park, Patty worked to pass legislation in less than three months to increase penalties on hoax calls (SWATting). That doesn’t happen, especially on criminal justice issues. THREE months! That’s just one example of how Patty makes it happen for constituents.
    • Opponent: Their forum was interesting because her opponent has lived in Johnson County about 15 weeks and registered to vote in Kansas in March, so hearing his thoughts on our state was, well, enlightening. He has a distinguished military resume, but no experience or investment in our communities, our schools, our businesses, or our families – and per Facebook posts, no interest in staying here long term. This is where Patty chose to raise her family and they aren’t going anywhere.
House District 14: Lenexa, Olathe (79th to 127th, Renner to K-7-map)
This is the district where I currently live. I met Tom Stanion more than a year ago and also met the other Lenexa candidate. I told them both that numerically, neither could win if they both ran because they would split Lenexa votes, someone would recruit a woman with an Olathe address, and that’s exactly what happened. 
  • Opponents: In fact, it’s the incumbent’s wife. He’s running for Secretary of State, will lose, and it’s widely expected when she wins this House seat, she’ll turn the seat back over to him. Blech. A perfect example of “not all women are great candidates and not all great candidates are women.” Especially when they sit on either extreme of their parties.
  • The other Lenexa opponent had to register to vote in order to file for office. So glad he cares so much about this community (#SaRcAsM fOnT). 
  • That being said, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to get the right person in! I’ll be voting for Tom Stanion, he’s a retired businessman with Rensenhouse Electric Supply and has been working hard throughout the district walking thousands of doors and participating in community and business activities. 
House District 17: Shawnee, Lenexa, Lake Quivira (Pflumm to Renner, 87th north to county line-map)
This is part of my old legislative district, so I’m a little protective and I’ve known Tom Cox since then. The district is about 50% Shawnee, which is more than when I represented it, so it’s a good fit because that’s where Tom was born and raised. Tom knows the district inside and out. He’s had a tough couple of months on some rough votes where his district split, but he cares deeply about the issues and puts a lot of effort into learning both sides and all the details of some of the legislature’s most complicated issues – and is darn good at communicating it in plain English. 
  • Opponent: For the second time (2014, 2018), this guy tried to file for election in a district where he didn’t live. He was two minutes late in 2014 and in 2018 was disqualified once, refiled from another address and got through – not sure exactly where he lives. No. Just don’t.
House District 27: OP, Leawood, rural JoCo (151st to County Line, Lackman-ish to State Line-map)
This district has the widest range of style and substance. Karen Snyder is one of the most talented candidates I’ve had the pleasure to advise. She’s an attorney and HOA President of Iron Horse Estates. She was in Topeka testifying on a bill that would have negatively impacted HOAs. When she saw Topeka up close, she found not only that her Representative was actively working against the school district and not communicating with constituents – but he wasn’t voting with them either. Between the HOA, PTO, sports, and church connections, she figured she’d be a better fit. Local leaders are lining up behind her: Pam Robinson, Dr. Al Hanna, Bob Regnier, Greg Musil, John Vratil. Heck, she’s even got Stan Cramer, the “Seal of Consumer Excellence” guy from the news, he's a friend and neighbor.
  • Opponents: This is a doozy. I’ve mentioned the incumbent. Apparently, he made some votes the previous Representative (former Speaker Ray Merrick) didn’t think were conservative enough so another candidate was recruited to the right of the incumbent! You cannot make this stuff up. 
  • That opponent moved from California a few years ago, is a big private school vouchers advocate and is endlessly skilled in the art of condescension, as evidenced throughout this forum, which had more than a few quotable moments. Hour 1, Minute 8 for the former and minute 43:40 for the latter.
  • If you want a smart, level-headed, even-tempered professional, Karen's your gal.
House District 28: OP & Leawood (127th to 151st, Metcalf to State Line-map)
Joy Koesten is one of the most organized candidates I’ve ever known and has built some of the tightest relationships within a legislative district I’ve ever seen. In 2016 she ousted the incumbent who was one of the poster-children of the “I know better than you, so don’t need to meet with anyone, learn anything, or talk to anyone” movement. Joy has hosted umpteen town hall meetings and as a communications professor, she keeps the district updated with all the latest. Her constituents are fiercely loyal now that they have someone talking to them and they want to keep those lines open.
  • Opponent: She campaigned for Sen. Jeff Melcher and Rep. Jerry Lunn, the ousted incumbent mentioned above. If you live in that area, they are infamous for condescending to voters. Trying to confuse the electorate, her opponent has co-opted the clout of Stand Up Blue Valley by saying she’s a BV mom, but is far from supportive of public schools or what it takes to fund them. Their forum exhibited this tense and heated race.  
House District 29: OP (95th to 129th, Metcalf to Switzer-map)
I’ve known Peggy Galvin since she lobbied for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas City, so she knows the ropes. A JoCo “lifer,” she’s lived in Overland Park for more than 40 years. She retired from BCBS and began a career in Medicare insurance and “retired-retired” a few weeks ago. She knows first-hand the struggles of seniors in our county and is the only candidate in the race with a family, owned a home in Kansas, or has lived in OP for more than six years... 
  • Opponent: He moved into the district to take advantage of the 2012 redistricting chaos and represented the district from 2013-2016. He voted solid with Brownback, including to maintain the disastrous tax breaks, didn’t communicate or show up in his district and was beat for it in 2016. He’s back and running again with the same record.
House District 30: Southcentral Lenexa/ northeast Olathe (87th to 127th , Pflumm to Renner-map)
Wow, do you have an opportunity! For the first time since 2012, you can elect someone who will listen to you, meet with you in Topeka and at home, and who will show up (literally – read on).
  • I met Colleen Webster through a mutual friend and what a find! She taught in Shawnee Mission and Olathe public schools for 31 years and has lived in Lenexa for 32 years (in Olathe before that). Her priorities are fully funding public schools, supporting the next transportation plan with improvements to the I-35/435 exchange and I-35 & 119th ramps, as well as protecting seniors, and improving transparency (communication) between the 30th District and Topeka. If you remember Rep. David Huff, he’s serving as her campaign treasurer! She's a natural public servant - that must come from years of working with students in the classroom and colleagues throughout a school.
    • Opponent: Supported (recruited?) by AFP, where her son interned. She was also immediately endorsed by the incumbent, who missed more than two-dozen legislative days, so it made sense when she chose not to attend the candidate forum, which is recorded on video and shared broadly to the community. 
  • Colleen’s not afraid of showing up – the funniest thing I’ve heard a candidate say – “I’m not afraid, I taught high school.”
House 39: Western Shawnee-map (shout out to Horizon Elementary!) 
This area is sure to miss Rep. Shelee Brim as she retires to spend more time with her grandchildren. Fortunately, she recruited a well-known name in the De Soto School District, Kristy Acree, to serve the voters who quickly became accustomed to having someone in Topeka that would respond to their concerns.
  • Over the past 20+ years as the district ballooned and boundaries changed, she served the PTA/PTO, Site Councils, Principal and Superintendent search committees, and Booster Clubs at Clear Creek, Mize, Woodsonia, Mill Creek Middle, and Mill Valley High. She coached and/or was the “Team Mom” for track & field, football, baseball, softball, volleyball, and was a teen mentor. 
  • Opponent: The previous incumbent in the seat prior to 2012 - voted for the disastrous “Brownback tax breaks” and staunchly defends it to this day. Their forum was interesting because of the distinct difference in style and approach to our state’s challenges. Spoiler alert – yes, they asked more than one question, even though he gave the same answer to each…
State Board of Education: All but northeast in JoCo, northern 2/3rds of Miami County-map
Jason Winbolt is one of those people who’s been in and around the county’s community, civic, and political activities for a long time, working behind the scenes, but not seeking the stage. He serves on the Spring Hill School Board and decided to run for the State Board to further his service. He has a young family and his temperament and experience would be a great fit for the board. The KSBOE has been off the radar for a long time because there has been a good balance – but one election cycle can change that, and we can go back to the days of finding our textbooks in the headlines. DON’T DISCOUNT the importance of this race!
 
3rd District US Congress: If you’ve stuck with me this long, you probably live here. 
I know everyone wants me to be a hater, but let’s be real, Kevin Yoder has an impossible job. He will never be moderate enough for most mods. He’ll never be pure enough for most ultracons. In Topeka, a common phrase is that if everyone is a little uncomfortable, it’s probably a good fit. There’s some quote (I don’t feel like Googling right now) about if everyone always agrees then someone’s not thinking – and there are nearly 700,000 thinkers in this district (OK, well, maybe not all…;). This conversation is for the primary, and he’s the obvious choice.
Happy connecting,

Stephanie Sharp, Chief Political Translator
Sharp Connections
"Translating Politics Into English"






This email was sent to <<Email Address>>
why did I get this?    unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences
VoteSharp · 2905 W. 145th St · Leawood, KS 66224 · USA