Capitol Insider

Topeka resident Tonya Boyd, whose daughter was killed with a firearm, and Jo Ella Hoye, Kansas chapter leader of Moms Demand Action, reflect on the latest mass shooting and efforts to blunt the violence.

Scott Morgan, a former Republican, describes the current political landscape as bizarre, unpleasant, offensive and unproductive. His plans for the Party of the Center struggled this year, but he hopes to gain momentum for the 2020 election cycle.

Washburn University political science professor Bob Beatty says the gubernatorial election in Kasnas has become a two-person race between Republican Kris Kobach and Democrat Laura Kelly, despite the entry of independent Greg Orman. In other competitive races, he assess candidates for secretary of state and 2nd and 3rd congressional districts.

The former secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism reflects on the great outdoors and the challenges he inherits by taking over as director of the state fair.

Davis Hammet talks about unsuccessfully challenged Kris Kobach's placement on the November general election ballot and a lawsuit aimed at forcing the Johnson County election commissioner to release records that could reveal whether 900 provisional and 150 advance mail ballots from the August primary weren’t counted for legitimate reasons.

Former Google executive Brian McClendon talks about redirecting the focus of the secreatry of state's office, cybersecurity, advance ballots and his concerns with the leadership of current Secretary of State Kris Kobach.

Democrat Paul Davis talks about the importance of connecting with constituents and says his Republican opponent has a steep climb to convince people he can represent them. Davis also says he wants to work with Republicans on infrastructure and to take on drug companies.

Rick Kloos, of Berryton, describes himslef as a pro-life, frustrated, moderate Republican who went independent to find more middle ground. He secured the signatures neccessary to appear on the November ballot.

Ann Mah, a Topeka member of the Kansas State Board of Education, Mark Desetti, a representative of the Kansas-National Education Association, and Mark Tallman, of the Kansas Association of School Boards, said on the Capitol Insider podcast they were optimistic tangible benefits would arise from approval of a five-year, $525 million increase in state funding by the 2018 Legislature and Gov. Jeff Colyer.

Jeff Caldwell, of Leawood, is the Libertarian candidate for Kansas governor. His platform is based on free market economics. In addition to the full legalization of marijuana, he wants to exempt food and water from a burdensome sales tax rate that reaches 10 percent in some areas.

Patrick Miller, a political science assistant professor at the University of Kansas, and Bob Beatty, a political science professor at Washburn University, talk about the 12 gubernatorial candidates seeking Republican and Democratic party nominations in Tuesday's primary election. They also discuss contested GOP primaries for the insurance commission and secretary of state's office.

Patrick Miller, of the University of Kansas, and Bob Beatty, of Washburn University, talk about the depth and cost of primary races for U.S. House seats.

Basehor City Council member Vernon Fields, one of seven Republicans vying for the party nomination in the 2nd District congressional race, recalls his days as a sharpshooter and wades into other issues that have surfaced on the campaign trail.

Kansas state Sen. Caryn, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the 2nd District congressional race, said she is happy to see the president put money where his mouth is by offering a $12 billion farm aid package as he fights for fair trade. As a software engineer, she also sees opportunities to secure elections, identify fraud in income tax returns, and expand broadband access to rural areas.

In our latest Capital Insider podcast, Capital-Journal Statehouse Bureau Chief Tim Carpenter talks with former Kansas House Speaker Doug Mays, a Topeka resident campaigning for the GOP nomination in the 2nd District congressional race.

Olathe businessman Greg Orman talks about the difficulty of running for governor as an independent candidate and how it gives him the freedom to operate unlike any other candidate by not being bound by party loyalty.

Arden Andersen, a Democrat who is running for governor, talks about his experience as a family practice doctor in Lenexa, where many of his patients are insured through Medicaid. Before expanding the state-run program, he said, the system should be overhauled.

Jim Barnett, a Topeka doctor and former state senator who won the Republican nomination for governor in 2006, says he represents "the values of most Kansans," which means educating children, building roads and taking care of those who are less fortunate.

Former Wichita mayor Carl Brewer talks about the forgotten people in Kansas and outlines his thoughts on taxes, health care, marijuana, education, abortion, gun rights and the state-run foster care system with which he has become tragically familiar.

Democrat Jack Bergeson, of Wichita, and Republicans Tyler Ruzich, of Prairie Village, and Joseph Tutera Jr., of Mission Hills, talk about the attention they received by entering the governor's race, as well as their views on guns, taxes, marijuana, schools and President Donald Trump.