Local Candidates Receive KNEA Endorsements
The Kansas National Education Association today announced its House and Senate endorsements for the upcoming elections. The teacher organization endorsed 56 Democrats and 42 Republicans.
Terry Forsyth, KNEA Director of Political Action, describes the recommendation process as rigorous and member-driven.
“Candidates are asked to complete a questionnaire on education issues and sit for a face-to-face interview with a team of teachers residing in the candidate’s district,” Forsyth said. “Those local teachers decide which candidates show the greatest support for public schools; those who will stand up in Topeka for a quality public school for every child.”
Incumbent candidates are also judged according to their record of support for public schools as a legislator.
KNEA President Blake West called the list of candidates “proof that support for public schools and the students they serve is not a partisan issue. These Democrats and Republicans all pledge to support our children.”
KNEA said its members are continuing to interview candidates for office and additional candidate recommendations may be made.
Below is a list of the local candidates who have received endorsements from the KNEA.
District 4: Sen. David Haley, D-Kansas City
District 5: Sen. Kelly Kultala, D-Kansas City
District 6: Democrat Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City, over Sen. Chris Steineger, R-Kansas City
District 31: Rep. Louis Ruiz, D-Kansas City
District 32: Rep. Mike Peterson, D-Kansas City
District 33: Rep. Tom Burroughs, D-Kansas City
District 34: Rep. Valdenia Winn, D-Kansas City
District 35: Rep. Broderick Henderson, D-Kansas City
District 36: Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore, D-Kansas City
District 37: Rep. Stan Frownfelter, D-Kansas City