Incumbent and Democrat Karen Willey faces two Republican challengers to represent Douglas County Commission District 3, which includes much of west Lawrence and most of the western side of the county.

Republicans John Landon and Pam McDermott will face off in the Tuesday, Aug. 6 primary election. The winner will face Willey in the Nov. 5 general election.

We asked candidates for their positions on wind and solar energy, what issues drove them to run and more.

Candidates were given a week to respond to these questions. We did not give candidates a word count limit but advised them to keep answers concise. Candidates’ answers appear below verbatim, minus minor typos edited for clarity.

We asked all candidates in races in which there are primary elections to participate, even if they don’t face a primary opponent, to allow our readers to start getting to know the whole field well before the Nov. 5 general election. We noted candidates’ parties throughout this questionnaire.

Will this race be on my ballot? Check which Douglas County Commission district you’re in at myvoteinfo.voteks.org.

Early voting began Wednesday, July 17. Voters can request a ballot to vote early by mail through Tuesday, July 30 at KSVotes.org. See this article for key info on how to cast your ballot.

Look for more coverage and candidate questionnaires still to come at lawrencekstimes.com/election2024. 

Jump to a topic:

• Meet the candidates
• Experiences and qualifications
• Top 3 issues
• Property taxes
• Wind energy regulations
• Sky Energy Center solar project
• Question for your opponents
• Free space
• Just for fun

This district

District 3 has changed following county voters’ November 2022 vote to expand the commission to five seats from three.

District 3, shown in blue in the map here, includes roughly the western half of unincorporated Douglas County.

Its north, south and west boundaries reach the county lines. The district includes a portion of northwestern Lawrence, with part of its eastern boundary north of town along East 1000 (Queens) Road.

The eastern boundary expands as far east as Stone Meadow Drive and Crossgate Drive in some places, roughly between Harvard Road and West 27th Street. South of North 900 Road, the eastern boundary heads south along East 1296 Road and East 1250 Road.

Click here to see a zoomable PDF map of the district.

Meet the candidates

About you and your positions

Q: What specific experience and qualifications do you possess that make you the best candidate for the commission seat you’re seeking?

Willey (D): As a PhD scientist with a background in soils and ecology, a history of hands-on entrepreneurship in housing and manufacturing, and my current work with urban nonprofits, I am a necessary voice for making grounded, evidence-based decisions that move us forward in the areas of environmental stewardship, economic growth, and equitable opportunity.

I have a B.A. in Environmental Studies and a Ph.D. in Geography, both from KU. My research and teaching covered the interactions of soils, ecology, and climate. This environmental background informs my data-driven policy decisions.

I co-owned several businesses including building affordable housing and running a design and manufacturing company building forklifts; my experience as an entrepreneur makes me budget-wise and frugal.

My work with Kansas City nonprofits gives me a window into how other communities approach social service work with lessons for Douglas County.

I have over 25 years of volunteer service across our community. My current roles include a dozen years and counting as a volunteer firefighter, 8 years on the board of the Kansas Rural Center, 5 years as president or vice-president of BRAC, a housing nonprofit in Baldwin, 3 years as secretary of the NAACP Legal Redress Committee, and this last year I served as the fellow-in-residence at the Dole Institute of Politics- leading a discussion series on sustainability in Kansas. As a county commissioner, I sit on the board of the KU Innovation Park and until recently, on the Affordable Housing Advisory Board for the City of Lawrence. I am a past member and chair of the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission. I serve broadly and faithfully throughout Douglas County.

Landon (R): I’ve worked for local county government for almost 20 years, I spent 15 years with Douglas County and 5 years with Shawnee County. In that time I was able to navigate through the bureaucracy and make a positive difference within our community. Coming from the private sector running a small business it took a little while to adapt to the county way of thinking. The one thing that separates me from the other candidates is not having the learning curve of a new organization and how things work. I’ve lived the inefficiencies of government for 15 years and feel I could make a positive difference right away.

McDermott (R): I have spent 30 years helping to build and lead a community where individuals from every kind of background come together for something bigger than themselves. I believe this experience has helped me be open-minded, curious, and understand that even with great diversity, unity can be achieved and enjoyed.

I believe I can help build a more citizen-driven local government by listening to the hardworking and every-day people of Douglas County, the taxpayers. They are the stakeholders who never get invited to the stakeholder meetings. They are the ones who pay the bills and fund the budgets. They are in fact, the government, and deserve to have elected officials who will listen to them, work effectively on their behalf, and honor when they have given enough.

Lastly, based on what I have seen, I believe I am the best candidate for the Commission seat in District 3. I have been deeply invested across Douglas County for all of my adult life. My children and 7 grandchildren are here. I want to work for the people of Douglas County and help make it welcoming, affordable, and safe … the way it was for us.

Q: Please list the top three issues motivating you to run for this office. What concrete ideas do you have to make a difference on each issue if you are elected?

Please be as specific as possible.

Willey (D):
Environment
• Build policy around our newly adopted climate action plan: Adapt Douglas County
• Connect citizens to resources that protect cultural spaces, prairies, woodlands, and wetlands through the Douglas County Open Space Program
• Expand local food and farming systems that improve soil health
• Begin a community discussion around the future of the Wakarusa Valley

Economics
• Support opportunities for diverse entrepreneurs to thrive
• Encourage growing local businesses and new industry to expand our tax base
• Implement local tax relief for income-burdened seniors and disabled Veterans
• Address affordability and the residential tax burden (lowering mill levy)

Equity
• Ensure that diverse voices are represented in policy decisions including valuing experiences across the spectrum of race, age, politics, sexuality, gender identity, ability, and military service
• Continue to fund recovery programing for mental health and substance use challenges
• Address the long-term needs of our local unhoused population through supportive housing options
• Center the needs of seniors in discussions on housing and care

Landon (R):
Lowering Taxes: This is not as easy as it sounds. Trying to balance a budget and make the tough decisions on where and how much to cut is going to take some time and a solid plan. You have to be very cautious not to cut too much forcing yourself next year to raise the mill levy to add back. My plan would be to look at community partner programs first, next reduce spending, then identify inefficiencies within local government and finally like we do at home when money is tight, talk and determine whether we can we put that off for a bit.

Encourage Building: For many years Douglas County has made it harder and harder to build in the rural areas. We need to loosen the restrictions and encourage this growth. That same ideology needs to be applied on the commercial side; growth is what lowers your overall taxes. We need to encourage and entice people to come to our county, instead of chasing them off. I would do this by reducing the buildable acreage size to 5 acres minimum, let the landowners with big parcels subdivide if they want. I would start marketing to businesses and encouraging them to come to our community. There is a fine line between protecting our character and being too restrictive. I think we can do both.

Fire protection for southwest Douglas County: Marion Township/Douglas County has contracted with Overbrook for fire services, with the development of Consolidated Fire District 1 now is the perfect time to finally change this. I would work with Chief Baxter to identify a location for this building and fund it with CIP money. This new station could house fire and Clarion Springs EMS together, giving SW Douglas County the emergency services they have needed for many years. I would also look at ways to fund full-time first responders for Consolidated Fire District 1 stations throughout the county.

McDermott (R):
1. The Budget, Taxes, and Property Valuations
The Douglas County Commission has not been sensitive to the enormous tax burden on citizens. I am not convinced they understand how their decisions are impacting people. The budget has grown 233% over 7 years. The County has $195 million in cash on hand. This is outrageous and unacceptable. If the mill levy goes down and the valuations go up, there’s no tax relief for anyone.

I would set all categories back to 2021 and reallocate beginning with items of most importance such as Emergency Services, Sheriff, Roads, and build up from there. I would look at interlocal agreements. I would not commit to expensive plans (A Place for Everyone, Open Spaces, The Climate Action Plan) or ideas without knowing exactly what they would cost taxpayers or what kind of impact they would have on the County. I would like to see more money back in the hands of the taxpayers so that they can give to organizations that are meaningful to them.

2. Representation for Taxpayers and Rural Douglas County
In the 40 years I have lived in Douglas County, I have always appreciated our spirit of generosity. Business owners are charitable. Neighbors are caring. Churches are involved. In the unincorporated areas of the County, people have known each other for generations and there are strong bonds. These facts are a great strength.
These are the people that elect commissioners to simply work for them and for the best interests of Douglas County.
District 3 includes nearly half of the land area of Douglas County and is full of hard working farmers and rural residents who seem to have no representation with the BOCC. It’s also home to a significant number of business owners, families with children, and retirees who need someone to represent them.

3. Transparency
None of us can really know what happens in Washington DC, but we should all be able to know exactly what is happening in Douglas County.
As in all relationships, a lack of transparency creates mistrust. It has become increasingly difficult to get answers to questions and know what plans are in the works. If you believe citizens have a right to know everything, communicate. If you are hiding things, stop. If you were wrong or regret a decision, acknowledge.

Q: Many Douglas County residents have voiced concerns about property taxes increasing over the last several years. Do you believe that property taxes can be reduced from current rates? If yes, how would you reduce them, and if no, why not?

Again, please be as specific as possible.

Willey (D): Yes. I am currently serving through my second county budget season. In my first year (for 2024), we lowered the county tax levy by 2 mills; this year (for 2025), we are working toward a 3 mill decrease.

The Douglas County tax mill levy increased drastically between the 2008 and 2018 tax years before flattening out for four years. The county added justice programs and mental health funding that are a benefit for our community, but there is room to evaluate and streamline services as we coordinate a more efficient ecosystem of care.

Recent sharp increases in real estate valuations (which we do not control) need to trigger reductions in mill levy (which we do control). While all county goods and services are subject to inflation pressures, the valuation spikes have also been driven by a lack of housing stock. Ultimately, an increase in commercial and industrial properties are needed to relieve the burden on residential property taxes in Douglas County.

Landon (R): Property taxes are based off several factors, some of which commissioners have no control over. For example: State of Kansas, cemeteries, watersheds, townships and school districts all have an independent taxing authority. Then of course you have property market values which are assessed off improvements made to the home and recent home sales in the area. With the housing market playing a critical role due to the recent increased evaluations, I don’t think there is much that can be done. One could always hope the economy will stabilize, the housing market will level out and other taxing authorities will cut expenses, but until then we just have to deal with it. The commissioners reducing the mill levy will always help, but that’s just one piece of the puzzle.

McDermott (R): Yes, of course property taxes can be reduced from current rates. Because of inflation, the price of everything is going up: food, gas, insurance, housing. Some people I talk to are very concerned, especially people on fixed incomes. Others are just angry at the wasteful and inefficient spending. In all seriousness, we need to revisit the simplicity of 2nd grade Junior Achievement lessons that discuss needs and wants, and realize that there is a difference.

The County will tell us the good news is that our homes are worth more, but the increase in property valuation itself does not directly provide money to pay the higher taxes. Instead, it reflects the potential for increased tax revenue for local governments. They know this.

Therefore, the solution is to cut the budget and expand the tax base. Wealth is created. When I ran for office in 2020, the thing I heard over and over again from people is that Douglas County is the hardest place in the world to start a business. Let’s fix that.

Q: On a scale of 1-5, please rank how much you support the wind energy regulations the commission approved in May.

(1= Do not support at all; 5 = Fully support)

Willey (D): 4

Landon (R): 1

McDermott (R): 4

Q: If you had been a commissioner in April when the commission approved a key permit for the planned Kansas Sky Energy Center, how would you have voted?

(Or, incumbents, how did you vote?) Only yes/no option given

Willey (D): Yes

Landon (R): No

McDermott (R): No

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Q: Please explain your answers to the previous two questions, if you wish, and/or share other key points you’d like voters to know about your stance on wind and solar energy projects in Douglas County.

Willey (D): Energy demand is increasing, and our coal plant is aging. Even if climate change were not an existential threat of our time, there would be solid economic and environmental reasons to move away from fossil fuels and toward more renewable energy sources. Oil, natural gas, and coal produce known and devastating impacts on local environments where they are mined, transported and burned. Costs to our ecosystems, waterways, and public health are not factored into the price of fossil fuel use and even so, solar and wind generation are cheaper as well as cleaner. Even though our electricity needs are balanced by diversified production (nuclear, coal, gas, wind, and hydro) across the 13 states of our shared power grid, there is always security in meeting our needs close to home. Douglas County regulations for wind and solar set an especially high bar for environmental and community protections.

Kansas Sky Energy Center
The County Commission voted 3-0 to grant the Conditional Use Permit for Kansas Sky, but there are multiple required conditions that will come back for a public hearing and vote. Stay tuned.

Douglas County wind regulations
I am generally comfortable with our newly adopted wind regulations based on the data from the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department literature review which supported the setback and noise protections for non-participating landowners.

Landon (R): I believe when you look at our county as a whole we are more of an urban county with a mix of agriculture, range and pasture or hay ground. We don’t really have wide open areas where commercial wind and solar fits. Growing up and working with the farming community we should have never approved a commercial solar complex occupying class 1 soils. With such limited acreage of that type available in Douglas County that decision just didn’t make sense to me. I would have used staffs time and resources on other issues. I totally support and would encourage everyone to explore the financial benefits of residential wind and solar on your home.

McDermott (R): I gave public comment on the night that the Commission voted on the wind regulations. My main points included that the Commissioners had a petition from 1,500 mostly rural citizens who were against it and who had spent the better part of 3 years providing excellent information, research and studies on the topic. I believed then that they knew far more about the issue at that time than any Commissioner. I also felt no resident should be put in a position to have to do business with a company with NextEra’s reputation.

Additionally, the Planning Commission had voted 6-3 for a minimum of 2,500 foot setbacks from property lines. (*They made that decision because our County Administrator gave them parameters that they could not develop regulations that would make it impossible to have turbines in Douglas County.)

There was a very similar situation for the solar regulations. I believe the Commissioners should have shown deference to people who know more than they do about how to manage land and resources generationally. Industrial solar does not belong on prime farmland, some of the best in the world for growing food, simply because large companies want it there. There are other options.

In the BOCC meeting where they approved the solar regulations, Commissioner Patrick Kelly said this would be the biggest project Douglas County has ever undertaken and expressed concern for the burden it would place on the staff. Then they voted 3-0 to approve it. I am disheartened that citizens have to spend their money and energy to sue their local government and specifically a current Commissioner, but I applaud their determination and believe they are fighting a good fight not only for themselves but also future generations who deserve to use that land.

Q: Please share a question we didn’t ask that you’d like your fellow candidates to answer. How would you respond?

Willey (D): What are your main sources for news?

I check in daily with the Lawrence Times, Journal-World, the New York Times, and Heather Cox Richardson’s “Letters from an American.” Weekly, I read the Economist, and catch NPR when I can. I also read broad-ranging articles and books recommended by constituents and keep an eye out for peer-reviewed research on topics like environment and housing.

Landon (R): Identify the challenges of living in the city and serving as county commissioner? What are the benefits if any?

Being conscious to the challenges and services that can sometimes be overlooked, examples include, Internet, emergency services response times, road maintenance issues, familiarity with the county, trash and phone coverage are just a few. Basic services that go unnoticed or are unimportant when you don’t live in the rural area.

McDermott (R): You asked a lot of questions … haha. How will you go about representing all of the residents in your District, even those with whom you have sharp disagreements? I would work hard to find common ground. I believe many of us want the same things but disagree how to get to a solution.

Q: Free space: Please share anything you’d like voters to know about you and your stances that we haven’t asked here.

Landon (R): Funding spent on the homeless is another hot topic in Douglas County:

I would just take a moment and share my views on this issue. In my opinion I feel this is a complex issue for many reasons. There are people that choose to be homeless (live without rules and government interference) they just want to be left alone. Next there are those people that just want everything given to them. Then there are people that have a drug addiction or mental illness that need help, and finally people that just fell on hard times. Unfortunately it’s not a one size fits all program that fixes everything. Regardless if we spend millions and millions of dollars this approach is only going to make it worse. Look at how that model has failed in other communities. Our priority should focus on helping people with ties to Douglas County. Most of our programs are designed as short term care. We are unable to help a person having a mental crisis or drug addiction in a matter of weeks, because it’s a long term commitment, and one the state has failed to fund. Lately using the words affordable housing or affordable anything in the same sentence with Douglas County or others has been a hypocrisy. There’s no such thing. I would like to see the research the county and city have done regarding the homeless population and causes, before making any commitments on a course of action.

McDermott (R): I believe that my stances are non-partisan, common sense positions that Republicans, Independents, and most Democrats can find agreement with.

Just for fun

Candidates were not required to answer any of these questions, but we wanted to give our readers a chance to get to know them a little better and have some fun with this.

Willey (D):

Favorite color? Blue

Zodiac sign? Cancer

Do you have any pets, and/or what’s your favorite animal? I have a nine-year-old, nearly deaf rescue dog, Luna and four cats: Cali, Larry, Eva, and three-legged Dobby. The last surviving tetra fish from my daughter’s tank also seems to have become mine. I have four ewes and their five lambs that graze my back yard and a small herd of British White Park cattle.

What’s a fun fact our readers may not know about you? (Have a hidden talent? Interesting hobby?) I dearly love wilderness backpacking. I have logged a few hundred miles in states across the US including Georgia, Maryland, and Maine on the Appalachian Trail. I hope there are many more adventures in my future. I’m also a Douglas County history buff.

Favorite book, TV show and/or movie? I read widely in fiction and nonfiction with a particular love for young adult literature. I prefer books that stretch beyond my cultural upbringing and especially those that address the immigrant experience in America.

Watching shows is still a family activity at our house and we take turns choosing. Science fiction is a mainstay including all 95 hours of “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (it took us years).

Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you in running for office or serving your community that you’d like to share? “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” — Muhammad Ali

Landon (R):

Favorite color? Metallic Grey

Zodiac sign? Pisces

Do you have any pets, and/or what’s your favorite animal? Yes, 4 Miniature Dachshunds, Sea Turtles

What’s a fun fact our readers may not know about you? (Have a hidden talent? Interesting hobby?) Woodworker

Favorite book, TV show and/or movie? Boston Legal “Denny Crane”

Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you in running for office or serving your community that you’d like to share? Ronald Reagan once said jokingly “We are from the Government we’re here to help.” I always thought wouldn’t that be great if it was true. So I went to work for our local governing body to make a difference and help people navigate government bureaucracy.

McDermott (R):

Favorite color? I actually like most colors, except purple. I just can’t work with purple.

Zodiac sign? Libra

Do you have any pets, and/or what’s your favorite animal? No pets at this time. I am often tempted by the thought of a dog, but our lives are too full and busy right now!

What’s a fun fact our readers may not know about you? (Have a hidden talent? Interesting hobby?) I enjoy time alone reading in the mornings. Otherwise, my favorite hobby is watching my grandchildren grow up and being able to be near them.

Favorite book, TV show and/or movie? My favorite movie is probably the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I watch it every year. Contrast the depth of that with The Office for which there is a scene for everything in life.

Do you have a favorite quote that inspires you in running for office or serving your community that you’d like to share? “Someone asked Jesus, what is the greatest commandment. Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

These verses are from the Bible in the book of Mark. I believe that as I work to pursue a place to serve the community in a different capacity that it’s a way I can continue to love my neighbor.

This post is by the Lawrence Times news team.

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