Posted on 12/04/2003 6:49:08 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Phil Journey, best known as an advocate for gun owners' rights, will take over the state Senate seat being vacated by Nancey Harrington of Goddard. Republican precinct committee members who live in the 26th Senate district, which includes much of western Sedgwick County, chose Journey on Tuesday night. He received 46 votes. Dale Swenson and Dick Kelsey, the other candidates, received 24 and eight votes, respectively. Journey, a lawyer, ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 1988 and lost a bid for a Sedgwick County Commission seat in 2000. Mark Kahrs, chairman of the Sedgwick County Republican Party, said he was surprised that only three people ran for the seat. He expected more, he said, but some moderates voted for Swenson instead of running. "I think we had the three strongest candidates," he said. Swenson, a state representative and Boeing employee, represents southwest Wichita. Kelsey owns a facility for juvenile offenders. This will be the first time Journey has held public office. His selection does not become official until Saturday, when Harrington's resignation goes into effect. Harrington is chairwoman of the Federal and State Affairs Committee, which handles such hot-button issues as gambling, guns and abortion. She resigned because of health issues resulting from a car accident a year ago. Journey, having the least seniority in the Senate, is not likely to chair such a high-profile committee. He said he plans to send out a questionnaire to his constituents to gather input. "I'm there for you," he told the precinct members. "For the people in your precinct whether they're Republican, Independent or Democrat." Journey opposes expanded gambling and tax increases, and he wants to hold schools more accountable for how they spend tax dollars. He plans to run when the seat is up for election in 2004. "Heck," he said of campaigning, "I'm starting tomorrow."
We don't need no steeeken permits.
Alaska & Vermont style for Kansas!
You're talkin' about a mighty big bag limit, Sir.
Is Kahrs disappointed that the conservative won?
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