MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Property taxes, affordable housing and economic development dominated discussion Tuesday evening as candidates in the Nov. 3 election shared their priorities at a Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce forum.
House District 101
Democrat Mary Ann Harmon of Garden Plain described herself as a third-generation Kansan, retired veterinary technician and small-business owner. She and her husband also spent four and a half years serving as missionaries in the Caribbean.
Harmon said political divisions distract from issues such as affordability, health care and education.
Republican Kevin O’Brien of rural Cheney said his experience operating the marina at Cheney Reservoir and owning farmland helps him understand the challenges facing businesses and agriculture.
On property taxes, Harmon called for rebalancing the tax burden to ease pressure on homeowners. O’Brien said lawmakers need to deliver meaningful relief, particularly for seniors.
O’Brien said government should find ways to help builders and families work together to expand housing opportunities. Having built his own home, he said he understands the process.
Harmon said lower-income families struggle to afford starter homes and pointed to lower-cost modular housing as one possible solution.
House District 102
Democrat Jason Probst and Republican incumbent Rep. Kyler Sweely, both of Hutchinson, offered competing views on the district’s representation and tax policy.
Probst, who represented the district from 2017 through 2024 before losing to Sweely, highlighted his lifelong ties to Reno County and 15 years working for The Hutchinson News.
“This year, I decided I’d run again because, with all due respect, I think the Hutchinson district isn’t well represented,” Probst said. “I think I know this district better.”
Sweely said he has been open about being originally from Newton. He served nearly five years in the Army and earned a degree from Hutchinson Community College before entering politics.
Sweely said divisions in national politics do not necessarily reflect relationships among state lawmakers.
Probst proposed expanding a homeowner tax rebate program to reach more residents who need relief. He also criticized tax incentives benefiting wealthy interests.
Sweely said he supported two property tax relief proposals in 2026 that the governor vetoed and voted to override those vetoes.
On housing, Sweely cited legislation passed last spring that he said allows people incarcerated at Hutchinson Correctional Facility to build affordable modular homes.
Probst said a similar program operated previously but faced opposition over competition involving prison labor.
House District 104
Democrat Lynette Krieger-Zook of Buhler emphasized her education background and conversations with voters. Republican Randy Parks of Hutchinson highlighted his local ties and service on the Reno County Commission.
Krieger-Zook moved to Reno County 35 years ago to teach at an early education center. She recently retired from Hutchinson Public Schools, where she taught kindergarten and special education.
She said her campaign has knocked on 3,000 doors, asking residents of all political affiliations about their priorities.
Parks said he was born and raised in Hutchinson. He and his wife of 45 years have two sons and three grandchildren living in the area.
He said listening to voters and standing up for their interests are central to his approach.
On property taxes, Krieger-Zook argued that inadequate state support for special education puts pressure on local school budgets and property taxpayers.
Parks said property taxes are out of line and called for changes to the appraisal process, saying local governments have limited ability to address the problem alone.
On housing, Parks said the focus should be on “attainable housing” and creating opportunities that encourage young families to remain in the community.
Krieger-Zook said housing shortages affect residents at every income level. She criticized reductions to the state’s housing tax credit program, saying it helped finance 84 housing units in Hutchinson and is scheduled to end in 2028.
House District 114
Democrat Alan Albers of Cunningham described himself as a retired farmer and teacher running out of concern for the future of Kansas and the country.
Republican incumbent Rep. Kevin Schwertfeger of Turon said he is a fifth-generation Kansan and crop consultant seeking another term to build on work already underway.
“We’ve done a lot of good things,” Schwertfeger said. “There are some things we could do better.”
Albers said wealthy taxpayers should contribute more and criticized incentives he described as preferential deals.
Schwertfeger said lawmakers worked on property tax relief proposals that were vetoed by the governor and lacked sufficient support for an override.
Reno County Commission
Republican Mike Sullivan and Democrat Carol Moore, candidates for Reno County Commission District 1, discussed property taxes, economic development and potential data centers.
Sullivan described himself as a conservative Kansan whose career includes 10 years as a certified public accountant, several positions at Carey Salt and 28 years as business manager and board clerk for USD 309. He said his school district work included managing multimillion-dollar budgets and bond issues.
Moore said she grew up on a farm south of Hutchinson and earned a doctorate from Kansas State University. Her nursing career included patient care, teaching and administration. She also worked as a part-time lobbyist for the Kansas State Nurses Association and served six years as mayor of The Highlands.
Asked how they would use $1.9 million in Evergy payments the county is expected to begin receiving in 2030, Sullivan favored property tax relief. Moore proposed investing in small, locally owned businesses, saying that could expand the county’s tax base.
On balancing district concerns with countywide interests, Sullivan said he would listen to all sides and seek the outcome that benefits the most people.
Moore said she welcomes differing viewpoints and would encourage frank discussions to build consensus.
The candidates also addressed potential data center development.
Moore called for repealing Senate Bill 98, which she described as providing 20-year tax exemptions for qualifying data centers and limiting local control. She said she would oppose hyperscale or larger facilities and would expect any proposal to address environmental impacts, noise, appearance, cleanup and decommissioning.
Sullivan agreed that proposals must address energy use, noise, water demand and decommissioning before moving forward.