From: Representative Michael Murphy, Republican Kansas House District 114
Representative Joe Seiwert, Republican Kansas House District 101
Representative Paul Waggoner, Republican Kansas House District 104
John Whitesel, Republican candidate Kansas House candidate District 102
Randy Parks, Republican candidate Reno County Commission District 1
Don Bogner, Republican candidate Reno County Commission District 5
Mark Reese, Republican candidate Reno County Commission District 4
We are deeply troubled by the overt politicization of the Reno County Chamber’s October candidates debates.
The Hutchinson Chamber has inexplicably shifted its long-standing debate policy and is now providing a platform to candidates already rejected by the voters of Reno County. Rather than abide by the outcome of the August primary election, the Chamber has revised the rules to the benefit of insider candidates and those preferred by the Chamber.
It should be noted, the revision of their rules was done without any communication, dialogue or input from any Republican candidates or any winners of the contested August primaries.
We were genuinely looking forward for this opportunity of a fair exchange of ideas, amongst candidates on the general election ballot, however, we now know this is not possible with the bias of the Hutch Chamber and their partners.
This has left us with no other decision but to boycott this sham of a candidate debate. We will not be attending or participating in the October 11th candidate debates.
Our group will be working on finding alternative sponsorship, a new debate venue, and most importantly, an event that respects and honors the voters’ decisions in the Democrat and Republican primary election of August 2nd.
Signed by,
Rep. Michael Murphy
Rep. Joe Seiwert
Rep. Paul Waggoner
John Whitesel
Randy Parks
Dan Bogner
Mark Reese