By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Republican Dave Lindstrom is running for the U.S. Senate, but party leadership would like to see him and state Senate President Susan Wagle both drop out of the primary, as they fear the general election chances for the party if former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach wins the nomination. Lindstrom isn't getting out.
"I thought the Chairman was less than honest when he released this to the media," Lindstrom said. "He and I had spoken to each other on the phone about the campaign. Never once was I asked to step down on the phone when I talked to the Chairman."
Lindstrom understands he has a hill to climb to get people to know who he is, but he'd like the opportunity to climb it without interference.
"What I believe that this was doing was taking away the right of the people of Kansas to vote for who they want in the United States Senate," Lindstrom said. "It was being conducted by party bosses. I thought we resolved this issue."
Lindstrom believes that he is someone who understands the process without becoming beholden to it.
"I'm a successful businessman," Lindstrom said. "I have experience in public service, but I'm not a career politician. People have encouraged me to do this because they believe and I believe that we're looking for someone that has the right combination of authenticity, of toughness, of temperament and of business experience. We don't need another lawyer or career politician serving in Washington, D.C."
Lindstrom was a defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs for eight years. He retired in 1986.