Note: The Lawrence Times runs opinion columns and letters to the Times written by community members with varying perspectives on local issues. These pieces do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Times staff.
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As a Lawrence attorney and community member for the past 13 years, I’m thrilled that Christina Haswood has stepped up to run for election to the Kansas Senate in my district. I see her doing the work to make phone calls and knock doors to talk to voters, and I know she’ll be a fantastic senator. I admire how she has empowered young people in our community — by hiring and paying them to intern on her campaigns, helping to build skills and interest in government and politics.
As the operations director for Laura Kelly’s 2018 campaign against Kris Kobach, I’m disappointed that Gov. Kelly chose to endorse Christina’s opponent. But the governor has never lived in Douglas County, and her endorsement announcement does not claim to be based on what’s best for Douglas County. I believe the governor’s Middle of the Road PAC endorsement is based on old-school loyalty and that the incumbent is most likely to vote the way the governor wants a legislator to vote.
Christina is not the Middle of the Road candidate. She is the more progressive candidate, and she’s the one who gets things done. I will not be voting for the Middle of the Road candidate. I am choosing to vote for the candidate who is heading in the direction of progress and justice. I hope you’ll do the same.
— Rebekah Gaston (she/her), Lawrence, KS
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More Community Voices:
Suzanne Wikle: Legislature is out of touch with Kansas families (Column)
”The economic struggle faced by working Kansans today is in part because the majority of the Kansas Legislature has been focused on increasing the wealth of a few, maintaining the status quo for those with power and trying to divide us with social issues,” Suzanne Wilke writes in this column.
