By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Democratic candidate for House District 104 that covers most of the northern half of Hutchinson and much of northeast Reno County, Garth Strand is a proponent of Medicaid expansion in Kansas.
"This has been going on for something like eight to nine years," Strand said. "It is absolutely stalled out by partisan politics. If you've read my website, I identify that as the biggest challenge we have, because it has us paralyzed."
The Kansas Speaks Survey from Fort Hays State University released last December noted that almost two-thirds, 62% of Kansans support Medicaid expansion.
"The will of the people has been ignored," Strand said. "I think that's exactly where we are."
It is likely even if Strand is elected to the Statehouse that he will be part of the minority party, but his focus is his district.
"I'm representing every voter in District 104," Strand said. "I don't think politics. In fact, if you've looked at my campaign, I say solutions, not politics. I care about everybody's opinion and I care about arriving at the best solutions."
The former Heartland Credit Union CEO is running against Republican incumbent Paul Waggoner in November.