Voters walk in and out of a polling place in Lawrence. (Photo by Stephen Koranda)Republicans had a strong showing in elections for the Kansas Statehouse. The GOP already held majorities in both chambers in the Legislature. But as KPR’s Stephen Koranda tells us, Statehouse membership will be undergoing a big change.
====================
(TRANSCRIPT)
The actual number of Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature will be about the same. But the leadership of the Senate will change. In the past, moderate Senate Republicans were in control. They were able to block bills pushed by the conservative House leadership and Governor Sam Brownback. Kansas State political science professor joe Aistrup says conservatives will now have the upper hand.
“They should have enough Senate seats such that there can no longer be a moderate, Democratic coalition that comes to spoil, if you will, the more conservative policy prescriptions.”
That will give conservatives the leadership of the House and Senate and the governor's’ office.