Final Debate: Kansas Deserves Better than Laura Kelly

October 5, 2022

Photo credit: Charlie Riedel, AP

The final debate in the Kansas gubernatorial campaign just wrapped up and it’s clear Kansas can do better than Democrat Laura Kelly. Kelly repeatedly refused to condemn the Biden administration, she once again misled on her position on biological males in girls’ sports, and she refused to address her role in fighting crime or the crisis at the southern border. Meanwhile, Derek Schmidt laid out a clear vision for a better Kansas and made the case to vote Kelly out in November.

On the flow of drugs coming across the southern border: 

Derek Schmidt: “But I do think that the flow of drugs across the southern border of the United States – it’s been methamphetamine that’s been king for many years, it is now deadly fentanyl – that is in our communities. It is mostly manufactured in precursor chemicals in China and south of the border, shipped into Kansas and distributed by drug cartels. It is killing our children and the federal administration right now under President Biden’s leadership will not address it. They will not secure the southern border of the United States which transforms what was a national border security or immigration issue into a public health and public safety issue for moms and dads and families right here in Johnson County and around this state.”
On fighting rising crime and supporting law enforcement: 

Moderator: “What is the single, most important action you can take as governor to reduce crime?”

Derek Schmidt: “Support the men and women and law enforcement and prosecution community who keep our community safe each and every day, who answer the call at two in the morning when that 911 phone rings and somebody is pounding at the door or breaking into the car. I am proud in this race to have the endorsement of the Kansas State Fraternal Order of Police, which endorsed Governor Kelly last time in this race. I’m proud to have the endorsement of the Kansas State troopers Association, who work for her. I’m proud to have the endorsement of more than 30 Kansas sheriffs, current and former… We must stand unwaveringly with the men and women who actually make a difference in the communities.”

On Kelly’s refusal to condemn the Biden administration: 

Derek Schmidt: “Well the answer to my question from me is no, America is not better off with Joe Biden as president, and that induces, for example, his effort to illegally spend $400 billion from taxpayers in order to pay off a portion of loans for folks in an election year. You know, the governor doesn’t want to talk about the fact that the leader of her political party, President Biden, is taking this country and affecting this state in ways that are tremendously negative. But they affect us.”

Derek Schmidt: “Well, I’ve been very clear on my position on this issue from day one. I think that it is a matter of fundamental fairness and I do not think, as a matter of law or policy, that people who are biologically male ought to be competing in women’s sports. I think that is counter to the purpose of Title IX. I think that is fundamentally unfair to female athletes and I think that ought to be the law in the state of Kansas. So, as I have said, I would sign that Fairness in Women’s Sports Act into law without hesitation.”