Brownback speaking during the ceremony at the Statehouse. (Photo by Stephen Koranda)Republican Governor Sam Brownback and Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer officially launched their re-election campaign today (THUR) during an event in Topeka. Brownback was joined by campaign co-chairs Bob Dole and Mary Eisenhower, granddaughter of Dwight Eisenhower. Brownback spoke about his economic policies and tax cuts passed during his time in office. He says his administration has helped turn a nearly empty state bank account into a financial cushion of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Brownback’s likely Democratic opponent in November, Paul Davis, says Kansas has recovered from the economic downturn more slowly than other states. Some Democrats are concerned that the tax cuts will lead to state budget troubles in the coming years. Brownback is facing a challenger in the GOP Primary -- Wichita landscaping business owner Jennifer Winn.
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Republican Kansas Governor Sam Brownback and Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer have officially started their campaign for a second term. The two were joined at a kickoff event by their campaign co-chairs, former Senator Bob Dole and Mary Eisenhower, granddaughter of Dwight Eisenhower. KPR's Stephen Koranda reports.
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Governor Brownback touted his economic policies and tax cuts he helped pass. He credits them with promoting job growth and helping to build a significant financial cushion in the state budget.
“It’s a good time to be us, as we show the county a proven path out of decline and a way to be America again. Kansas is a lighthouse in a nation that’s lost its way,” says Brownback.
Former Republican Kansas Senator Bob Dole remembered meeting him when Brownback was a young member of Future Farmers of America.
“And I knew then that there was a leadership quality about Sam and that he was destined for greater things,” says Dole.
The likely Democratic candidate in November, Paul Davis, has taken issue with the governor’s fiscal policies, saying Kansas is pulling out of the economic downturn more slowly than some other states. Democrats also argue that the tax cuts could lead to state budget shortfalls in the coming years.
Anchor lead out: Governor Brownback faces a challenger in the August Republican primary election, Wichita landscaping business owner Jennifer Winn.