GREAT BEND, Kan. - The Kansas Constitution provides for six statewide elected offices:
Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer.
With the appointment of Democrat Chris Biggs today as the new Secretary of State, this leaves only Republican Sandy Praeger, our Insurance Commissioner, as the lone Republican constitutional statewide elected official. And we could do a lot worse than Praeger. Right Wing Republican Eric Carter tried to unseat her three years ago by telling audiences: "She's not a Republican." He lost.
Republicans love to point out that all five Democrats were appointed, as if it was sinister. But the Kansas Constitution gives the Governor great power, and having a Democrat Governor these last seven years has made these appointments possible.
But before you consider all of these five as "accidental officeholders," consider this: Governor Parkinson was on the ticket with Governor Sebelius in 2006, and he was elected along with the Governor. So he wasn't appointed to become Governor when Sebelius left for Washington, he inherited the office by Constitutional succession.
Likewise, although Steve Six was appointed Attorney General after the Paul Morrison scandal, there is no doubt that Kansas voters in 2006 wanted a Democratic Attorney General, as the voters sent Republican incumbent Phill Kline packing. Six has done such a good job that his re-election chances look good.
The State Treasurer vacancy was created when Republican Treasurer Lynn Jenkins was elected to Congress. And Dennis McKinney was perfect for the role. McKinney had 16 years of legislative experience, and held a very Republican House District in Greensburg for years. McKinney is an impressive guy who seems to have great crossover appeal to Republican voters.
A Democratic Secretary of State? Well, I don't think there is a Kansan alive today who was alive when we last had a Democratic Secretary of State. I haven't done my research on this one, but I think it's been at least a hundred years since we've had a Democratic SOS. By all accounts, Chris Biggs did a good job as State Securities Commissioner, and he only lost the AG's race to Phill Kline in 2002 by a few hundred votes.
Democrat Senator Chris Steineger has also filed for Secretary of State, and he's been much more active in traveling the state and attending Democratic events than Biggs. But this lack of partisan activity by Biggs over the last few years might actually help his campaign if he wins the primary, as he presents himself as the non-political guy who simply wants to ensure stability in the SOS office. But my guess is that Steineger's name ID will be formidable in the Democratic primary this summer.
This remarkable "five for six" Democratic hold on statewide constitutional offices isn't luck. It's because Sebelius thumped Republican Shallenberger and Dr. Barnett in 2002 and 2006. The founding fathers and mothers of our state gave the Governor broad powers, and Sebelius and Parkinson are leaving the Democratic party much better than they found it.
Incumbency (regardless of how obtained) is a powerful thing - it gives one name identification, experience, fund-raising prowess, and a huge leg up over challengers. Let's hope we can keep most, if not all, of these offices in Democratic hands this year at the ballot box.
When you think about it though, that puts a lot of pressure on democrats to provide effective leadership. Republicans could point to the states problems like budget deficits and unemployment and the democrats will have to answer for it. Being on top isn't easy.
Brad, you are right! We need to hold leadership, all three branches of State & National government, to accountability for the state of the State and state of the Union.
Our Democrat leaders in Kansas, even though holding distinctive minority status, have to accept some responsibility for our state of affairs. We need to admit that. But, we need to point out that Kansas political history has to be fair. The Republicans have held a lopsided majority status, from the beginning. Who then has to bear the most responsibility for where we are today?
Changes need to be made, whether those changes come under the banner of Democrats or Republicans. When the ballots are counted, we (the sheep) have had the priviledge of choosing our shepherd or shepherds. That puts a lot of pressure on all of us, Democrats and Republicans alike.
Well, I think most people know that the State Senate and State House of Representatives are dominated by Republicans. None of the 5 Democrats I discuss here hold legislative positions, but administrative positions. And I think the "throw the bums out" mentality applies mostly to legislators, not administrative-type positions.
Marty, I agree whole heartedly with the point you make. Those five people we, the democrats, have in the administrative branch are compelled to administer what the legislature legislates. They do, however, have limited control in how and when. The Judicial branch has the responsibility to hold both the legislature and executive branches to constitutional requirments and limits.
I'll not pass this opportunity to suggest that we have a bum, the leading contender for the governorship, that needs to be thrown out before he gets there!