By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas Senate District 34 candidate and prospective short-term Reno County Commissioner Dr. Mark Steffen addressed why he was selected for the position by the Republican precinct committee for the position previously held by the late Bob Bush in an interview on the KWBW Morning Show with John Brennan, for which his Senate campaign paid, on Thursday.
"There's this two month gap," Steffen said Thursday. "We're all sad that Bob Bush wasn't able to finish. Our prayers and our best wishes go out to him and his family. There is that little piece of his term left that blends into, hopefully, when I'll be heading to Topeka. The Reno County Republican Party came to me multiple times. I tried to deflect it, but they had some thoughts and some needs at the county level. So, when my name got nominated, who am I not to jump in and serve. That's what this is about for me. It's not an agenda. It's the opportunity to help."
Steffen didn't address why the committee didn't select Daniel Friesen, the Republican who will run unopposed for the seat November 3.
"We have very sophisticated leadership at this point in time," Steffen said. "We have sophisticated committeemen and women. They are very, very committed to their Republican Party platform. They know what they are looking for and I'm anxious to participate and then blend that in to transitioning to Topeka. I think we can really set Reno County up in a way where it really takes a leadership role across the whole state."
There are at least three major issues to come before the commission by the end of the year, the continued COVID-19 response, the hiring of a new Health Department director and new wind farm regulations.
Governor Kelly still has to appoint Steffen to the seat.