Chuck Schmidt is trying to get back into office, while Veronica Gillette is trying to start her political career. The winner would have to beat a Republican incumbent in the general election for a Kansas House seat.
by Blaise Mesa
Chuck Schmidt and Veronica Gillette both want to flip a Republican seat for Democrats in the Kansas House.
The two face off in the Aug. 6 Democratic primary in hopes of challenging Republican Rep. Sandy Pickert in the general election for the seat from the 88th District in southeast Wichita. You can find your polling place here.
Both candidates were asked the same questions about their priorities for office and how they would vote on certain issues.
Here are their answers:
Who are the candidates in Kansas House District 88?
Veronica Gillette
Veronica Gillette was born and raised in Wichita. She’s a Realtor and spent the last decade working in the Native American education program with Wichita Public Schools.
She’s volunteered with the Native American Community Resource Coalition and the W/ (a young professionals service group) through the Wichita Chamber of Commerce. Gillette serves on the diversity, equity and inclusion committee with the Realtors of South Central Kansas and Wichita’s Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights Advisory Board. She was the chair of that advisory board until stepping down to run for office.
“With my careers and community roles, I’ve aimed to bridge gaps and foster unity and my motives have been centered on responding to the needs of those around me,” she said.
Gillette wasn’t able to answer every question on this voter guide. Her opinions of legislation are gathered through her website and other media outlets.
Chuck Schmidt
Schmidt used to be the 88th District representative before narrowly losing to Rep. Sandy Pickert, the current Republican representative, in 2022.
Schmidt spent just over three decades in education, working as a teacher, coach and administrator. The father of five grew up on a dairy farm in western Kansas and went to the University of Kansas on a football scholarship.
When he was in office, he sponsored bills to eliminate the sales tax on food and wanted to create the crime of elector fraud. That would make it illegal to “hinder, prevent or defeat a fair election.”
Question 1: If elected, which of these politicians would you most closely resemble?
Options include: Joe Biden, Sharice Davids, Bob Dole, Nancy Kassebaum, Laura Kelly, Roger Marshall, Jerry Moran, Donald Trump or someone else.
Gillette: (A) combo of Laura Kelly and Sharice Davids. Their leadership has paved the way for women like me to find the courage and inspiration to run for office.
Schmidt: I would most closely resemble Laura Kelly. I am interested in working across the aisle to build a Kansas economy that works for all. I want our state to welcome everyone and to provide equal opportunity for all Kansans.
Question 2: If you could pass any bill, what would it be and why?
Gillette: Legalizing marijuana would bring numerous benefits to Kansas. Kansans who suffer from a variety of conditions should have the option to use marijuana for medicinal use outside of pharmaceuticals. Legalization would create an increase in job growth and the tax revenue generated from legalization could be used on public schools, investing in infrastructure, adding to rainy day funds, public health campaigns and more. Kansas would also see reduced costs associated with policing, prosecuting and incarcerating individuals for marijuana-related offenses.
Schmidt: Medicaid expansion would be the most helpful legislation for over 150,000 people who could benefit from health insurance. It is immoral that we do not pass this legislation to help those working people who cannot afford insurance. This would cost very little to the state and would actually help our economy. It would provide medical and mental health benefits for so many Kansans.
Question 3: How would you have voted on the following items? You can vote yes, no or pass.
The Aug. 2, 2022, constitutional amendment on abortion
Voting no meant the state constitution would continue to protect the right to abortion. Voting yes would have meant it can be regulated or banned.
Gillette: Politicians should not supersede medical professionals or dictate decisions regarding women’s health care. I will advocate for women’s equality and guarantee that every woman has the autonomy and freedom to make the best decisions for herself and her family, regardless of her circumstances.
Schmidt: NO. The government should not be controlling women’s reproductive health decisions. In spite of this amendment being soundly defeated, legislators continue to pass restrictive legislation. Trust women.
Flat tax on income
Voting yes would approve a single-rate on income tax set at 5.25%. A single rate on income didn’t pass this year.
Gillette: Gillette didn’t respond to this portion of the voter guide, but has advocated for some tax reform — like property tax relief.
Schmidt: NO. This would mostly benefit the wealthy. A progressive income tax is more fair. We need meaningful property tax relief.
Banning transgender women from women’s sports
Voting yes would mean athletes have to play the sport based on their gender assigned at birth. This bill was vetoed but overridden in 2022.
Gillette: Gillette didn’t answer this question directly. She did tell KSN, “I value the principles of equality, dignity, and respect for all of Kansas’ residents, including those who identify as LGBTQ+. Upholding the rights and addressing the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community is not only a matter of justice but also a reflection of our commitment to creating a society where everyone can live freely and authentically.”
Schmidt: NO. I voted against this because we already had workable regulations through the Kansas State High Schools Activities Association.
Banning gender-affirming care for trans youth
Voting yes means children under 18 can’t get puberty blockers, hormone treatment, and in rare cases, gender-reassignment change surgery. This bill narrowly failed this year and is expected to come up again in 2025.
Gillette: Gillette didn’t respond to this portion of the voter guide.
Schmidt: NO. The government should not be telling parents how to raise their children. I have visited with doctors who provide this care and they do not take this lightly. They only provide support for these children until they reach the age of 18. After 18 it is then the individual’s right to make those decisions.
Chiefs and Royals stadium-financing bill
This bill didn’t spend any taxpayer money to attract the teams, but it did set aside future sales tax dollars from future stadium districts to pay off bonds. This law passed by a comfortable margin, and voting yes opens the door to the Chiefs and Royals in Kansas.
Gillette: Gillette didn’t respond to this portion of the voter guide.
Schmidt: PASS. I am skeptical of using tax dollars for this purpose. I would have to be convinced that this would pay for itself and at this time I am not convinced.
APEX (Attracting Powerful Economic Expansion)
This bill had billions in tax incentives to bring a Panasonic battery plant to De Soto, Kansas. As it was being passed, lawmakers were not told which company would be coming, but were told the bill is necessary to attract large businesses. Voting yes approved a massive tax incentive plan for companies.
Gillette: Gillette didn’t respond to this portion of the voter guide.
Schmidt: YES. I thoughtfully voted yes because I was convinced that providing 2,000 permanent jobs and the jobs created by construction of a $4 billion plant would pay for itself and help the Kansas economy.
Congressional redistricting
Kansas redrew its congressional maps with new census data. Voting yes approved the Republican maps. Those maps were controversial as Democrats say it is gerrymandered to dilute blue votes.
Gillette: Gillette didn’t respond to this portion of the voter guide.
Schmidt: NO. I voted against this bill because the districts were created for political purposes rather than sensible boundaries.
Mail ballot grace period
Currently, any mail ballot in Kansas can arrive three days after election day and still be counted if it was postmarked on or before election day. Voting yes would eliminate that grace period.
Gillette: Gillette didn’t respond to this portion of the voter guide.
Schmidt: NO. The mail service is undependable and three days is a reasonable time to expect ballots to arrive at the elections office. We should be making voting easier, not more difficult.
A bill loosening child care regulations
It would expand allowed child to staff ratios and allow teenagers to work at these facilities. Voting yes approves the loosened restrictions. Learn more about this bill here.
Gillette: Gillette didn’t respond to this portion of the voter guide.
Schmidt: NO. Loosening child care regulations puts our children at risk.
The Parents’ Bill of Rights
This bill lets parents pull their kids out of classes if they are being taught objectionable material. Republicans say it is up to parents to determine what their children should be learning. Democrats say this bill addresses a problem that doesn’t exist.
Gillette: Gillette didn’t respond to this portion of the voter guide.
Schmidt: NO. I voted no because parents already have all the rights proposed in this legislation. This was aimed at harassing schools and teachers more than strengthening parents’ rights.
This article was republished here with the permission of: The Beacon