MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas Republican candidates brought their campaign bus tour to Hutchinson Tuesday morning, urging supporters to vote and outlining priorities ranging from property taxes to election administration and insurance competition.
With three weeks remaining before the Nov. 3 general election, the stop included U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, gubernatorial nominee Ty Masterson, secretary of state nominee Pat Proctor and insurance commissioner nominee Dan Hawkins.
Masterson described the closing weeks of the campaign as a sprint, saying turnout will be critical.
“Just trying to get them to the polls,” Masterson said. “At this point, it’s a numbers game. Our team needs to show up.”
Masterson predicted an increase in negative advertising as national money flows into the governor’s and Senate races. He said his campaign would continue emphasizing affordability, public safety and social issues.
Drawing on his small-town background, Masterson said he left college to support his family and worked two jobs much of his life.
“I know what it’s like to struggle,” he said.
Masterson identified property taxes and energy costs as priorities if elected governor.
“I’m coming after the property tax crisis,” he said. “It’s incredibly complicated, but we’re coming after it because we are literally taxing people out of their houses right now.”
Marshall said he has made more than 200 stops over the past two months and believes Republican enthusiasm is increasing.
“What I see are Republicans coming home,” Marshall said. “Everywhere I go, the enthusiasm is much louder.”
Marshall emphasized border security, military strength, lower taxes and traditional values. He encouraged early voting and said retaining Republican control of the Senate is a major concern. He also criticized Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton’s positions on immigration, transgender issues and climate policy.
Looking beyond Election Day, Marshall said he hopes lawmakers can advance a farm bill and legislation reducing regulations.
Proctor, an Army veteran and chairman of the Kansas House Elections Committee, said he wants to increase election transparency, address noncitizen voting and ballot harvesting, and update voter rolls.
He also advocated for a constitutional amendment on the ballot that he said would clarify that only U.S. citizens may vote in Kansas elections.
Proctor proposed using artificial intelligence on the secretary of state’s business website to help entrepreneurs identify applicable regulations, local ordinances and required forms. He said the idea grew from difficulties he and his wife encountered opening restaurants.
“I want to remove all those hurdles,” Proctor said.
Hawkins highlighted his 14 years in the Kansas House, including service as majority leader and speaker, and 32 years in the insurance business.
“I work for clients, and I will continue that type of an attitude when I get to the insurance commissioner’s office,” Hawkins said.
He said protecting policyholders means ensuring insurers honor the coverage customers purchased. Hawkins also pledged to recruit more insurance companies to Kansas to expand choices in markets with limited options.
“We need more competition,” he said.