C4 Sunday, July 15, 2018 The Topeka Capital-Journal
2018 PRIMARY VOTERS GUIDE REPUBLICAN
U.S. HOUSE — 2ND DISTRICT: KEVIN JONES Why are you running for a seat in the U.S. House? I am running for Congress because I see a lack of true servant leaders in Washington, those focused on getting the job done, rather than pursuing a “career.” True service is not a career, it’s a deployment. You serve, and you return home. I have signed the term limits pledge that I will serve no more than three terms if voters choose to retain me for that time. My goals, if elected, are to work to bring jobs to the 2nd District of Kansas, curb our growing debt, and restore the Rule of Law in the administration of our government. Do you believe the 2nd Amendment should be modified? If so, how? If not, should there be new gun restrictions to deal with what appears to be an epidemic of mass shootings? The 2nd Amendment requires defending, not modification. Recent criminal activity would not be prevented by additional laws. Words in a statute will not cure evil lurking in a criminal’s heart, nor cure mental illness. Contrary to myth, background checks are already required of purchases at gun shows from federally licensed dealers. Federal studies show previous “black” gun bans did not reduce crime. Better would be to address the breakdown of the family, and a culture of permissive political correctness allowing indulgent behavior to escalate to destructive criminal behavior — and that is true of crimes beyond just those involving firearms. How would you respond if President Trump fired special counsel Robert Mueller? Generally, what do you think of the Russia-election inquiry? Given evidence of bias, criminal referrals of FBI personnel, and pending investigations of yet more FBI personnel revealed by the FBI Inspector General, the Mueller matter initiated by those now under suspicion, has become far too tainted to ever be fully trusted, no matter the result. If, after two years of investigation, Mueller has evidence of direct collusion between any American political campaign and a foreign power, he should present it or end his investigation. Important, however, is that those
now known to have abused their position, and possibly abused the civil rights of American citizens, must be held accountable. Has NAFTA done more to help or hurt the U.S. economy? How would you frame such trade agreements to better serve the Kansas economy? NAFTA helped and hurt our economy, crippling manufacturing, yet boosting agriculture. The US gained overall, but at a cost. Diminished manufacturing put the US at a competitive disadvantage and depressed wages. Both agriculture and manufacturing are critical to the 2nd District. Despite prior losses, Kansas manufacturing has had a modest rebound due to ample labor, welcoming communities, and geographic advantage. Rural opportunities for younger generations are fading. As agriculture advancements require fewer workers, manufacturing holds potential to rekindle communities. Trade deals must benefit Kansas agriculture, but hold promise for growing other opportunities, jobs and wages in the 2nd District. Can you outline how Congress should reform the Affordable Health Care Act? Obamacare should be repealed. For most Americans, particularly those on individual plans, health insurance premiums have skyrocketed, with choice virtually non-existent. Competition must be restored, allowing consumers, not government, to dictate the marketplace. Any portion of healthcare premiums paid by individuals should be fully tax deductible. Association plans should be encouraged, allowing Individuals to leverage better rates. Likewise, those with preexisting conditions should be provided high-risk pools to leverage better rates for their unique coverage needs. These are broad concepts. Fully addressing a complex matter affecting so many Americans will obviously require more discussion than the 100 words allowed here. What is your view of the federal tax reform legislation signed in late 2017 by President Trump? Recent federal tax reform has been positive — increased economic activity, job creation and
repatriation of capital previously kept overseas. The average American family is expected to save more than $2,000. However, congress failed to enact true tax simplification — there are still too many rules, too many gimmicks, and too many forms. Additionally, rate reductions for individuals should have been greater to fully offset eliminating personal exemptions and some itemized deductions. Most importantly, the reductions for individual taxpayers should have been permanent. Overall, the bill was a strong step in the right direction. Congress just needs to finish the job. How should transgender troops be integrated into the military? Or, should they be blocked from serving? As former Green Beret and Combat Medic, I don’t believe military service is an appropriate occupation for transgendered individuals, nor do I believe taxpayers should pay the medical bills for those serving to become transgendered or maintain their elective state. Long-term medical and psychological effects of transgenderism is still not fully known. Combat is a dangerous arena, it ain’t Hollywood. Introducing unnecessary variables is not wise and can jeopardize all involved. Focus is the key to a successful military. America is at war. Now is not the time to distract with issues not critical to our national security. What do you think about including a citizenship question on the U.S. Census? It is appropriate to have a citizenship question on the census. The census is used to determine representation and aspects of governance at all levels, federal, state and local. It is absolutely appropriate that we know the distribution of citizens, not just merely those present, across our nation, for whom our government is to defend and benefit. Contrary to media hysteria, there is nothing invasive about this question, particularly when compared to current census questions regarding lifestyle, occupation, education, income, assets, vehicles, residence details, race, and marital status. I’m proud to be an American and will gladly check the box!
KEVIN JONES
Town of residence: Wellsville Party affiliation: Republican Age: 43 Job: Realtor Prior elected offices: Kansas House; Wellsville school board
Should Congress move to end all federal funding to Planned Parenthood? Yes. How would you reform federal drug policy — from legalization of marijuana to the access of addictive pharmaceutical medicines? I would not favor legalization of marijuana for recreational use. As a former pastor, I counseled young people with addictions who naively began with recreational marijuana use and progressed to more powerful and addictive substances. Regarding pharmaceuticals, as a society, we must understand not every pain requires a pill. Prescriptions should have a purpose — sending people home with pills “just in case” is irresponsible. Medical practices must change, as should patient expectations. Current laws should be aggressively enforced, and stronger laws enacted to halt excessive prescription dispensing. However, we cannot credibly expect progress while at the same time legalizing marijuana.
REPUBLICAN
U.S. HOUSE — 2ND DISTRICT: DOUG MAYS Why are you running for a seat in the U.S. House? I’m offering myself as an effective, experienced and proven leader who will represent the people of the second district and Kansas from day-one. As Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives, I worked with all manner of Kansans with one goal in mind: to improve the lives Kansans. I’ve never been afraid to reach out to others who may have different philosophy or party. I am not a candidate because of an ego or a burning desire to build a political career. I got over that years ago. I simply want to find solutions to the many problems that currently afflict our beloved America. Do you believe the 2nd Amendment should be modified? If so, how? If not, should there be new gun restrictions to deal with what appears to be an epidemic of mass shootings? I do not favor modifying any of the amendments contained within this nation’s Bill of Rights. I would support more stringent background checks required to purchase firearms. How would you respond if President Trump fired special counsel Robert Mueller? Generally, what do you think of the Russia-election inquiry? In spite of the questionable existence of certain Special Council personnel and procedures involved in the Russia investigation, I do not believe the President should fire Robert Mueller. To do so would create a firestorm of condemnation that would further the divide us. So far as I can see, there has been no real evidence of wrong doing by this president. We must, however, let the process play out and the chips fall where they may (hopefully in our life time.) Has NAFTA done more to help or hurt the U.S. economy? How would you frame such trade agreements to better serve the Kansas economy? In the 25 years since adoption, NAFTA has not
worked well for the U.S. economy. Job losses and wage stagnation have resulted largely due to competition from Mexican firms that has forced U.S. firms to relocate to Mexico. The U.S./ Mexico trade balance swung from a $1.7 billion U.S. surplus to a $71 billion deficit. The surge of imports from Mexico into the U.S. has coincided with the loss of over 1,000,000 U.S. jobs. We must tread carefully when considering tariffs. This is especially true with agriculture, where history has demonstrated that high tariffs can result in previously nonexistent competition from other nations. Can you outline how Congress should reform the Affordable Care Act? Health insurance needs to be portable and affordable. A good start would be setting a framework for associated health plans so that small businesses and individuals can join together to negotiate for cheaper health care premiums and keep costs low for employees and other participants. Health insurance companies should be allowed to cross state lines to give individuals more options and provide for more competition resulting in lower costs. They should also be able to offer basic health care coverage without federally imposed mandates that can drive up costs. What is your view of the federal tax reform legislation signed in late 2017 by President Trump? The tax reform package enacted by Congress in 2017 has already resulted in substantial growth in the U.S. economy. A GNP approaching 4.0%, significant job increases in all sectors, and a rapidly declining unemployment rate are positive results. This is encouraging, especially when it generally takes at least two years to see demonstrative results. The most promising outcome is the growing sense of optimism within the U.S. business community that leads to greater investment and job creation,
particularly within manufacturing. How should transgender troops be integrated into the military? Or, should they be blocked from serving? When it comes to national defense, we must trust Secretary James Mattis and Gen. Joe Dunford, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff regarding issues of the readiness of our armed forces. What do you think about including a citizenship question on the U.S. Census? I believe that a reliable count of who among us are U.S. citizens, and who are not is legitimate. The information gathered by the census is vital for accurate drawing of representative districts. It is also an invaluable tool for assessment of population shifts and trends that can be used to plan for provision of transportation, schools, health care, utilities, etc. All information gathered from individuals, citizens or not, must remain absolutely confidential. Should Congress move to end all federal funding to Planned Parenthood? Congress is considering a plan that would impose a one-year freeze on federal funding for organizations that provide abortion services. Instead, the legislation will increase funding for Federal Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which are community-based, patient-centered organizations that provide health services to medically underserved individuals. Unlike boutique clinics such as Planned Parenthood’s, FQHCs provide comprehensive medical, dental, mental health and other primary care services. These services also include STD testing and cancer screening. I would vote in favor of the proposed legislation. How would you reform federal drug policy — from legalization of marijuana to the access to addictive pharmaceutical medicines?
DOUG MAYS
Town of residence: Topeka Party affiliation: Republican Age: 67 Job: Investment management Prior elected offices: Speaker of the Kansas House, 2003-05; Topeka City Council, 1985-89
Legalization of marijuana is a state issue. Were I still in the Kansas Legislature, I would vote against it. Opioid addiction is a growing scourge in America. Opioid overdose deaths now outnumber those due to breast cancer. To date, there has been no national policy in response. There is a wide spectrum of suggested strategies from interested parties such as the AMA, DEA, FDA CDC, etc., but a compressive plan remains elusive. It is an epidemic that must be addressed on a national basis. At this time, all I can do is to pledge to support any and all efforts to gain control of the distribution, abuse, and treatment of opioids and other addictive drugs responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of individuals from all walks of life in America.
REPUBLICAN
U.S. HOUSE — 2ND DISTRICT: DENNIS PYLE Why are you running for a seat in the U.S. House? Several years ago, when I ran for the Kansas legislature, I did so because I was frustrated with what was happening in Topeka, and I wanted a better Kansas for my young daughters. They are grown now, but I have that same feeling when I look at my granddaughters. Washington is broken. I applaud some of the changes President Trump has made (cut taxes, reducing regulations, etc), but there is more to do. We need all of the conservative voices we can get to grow our economy. Do you believe the 2nd Amendment should be modified? If so, how? If not, should there be new gun restrictions to deal with what appears to be an epidemic of mass shootings? I have always and will always support the 2nd Amendment. I don’t believe we should modify it. The right to bear arms should be protected in this country. We shouldn’t ignore mental health issues or the evils of our society, but punishing law-abiding citizens is not the way to go. How would you respond if President Trump fired special counsel Robert Mueller? Generally, what do you think of the Russia-election inquiry? It’s a difficult question to answer as someone who probably doesn’t have all of the facts
in front of me. I respect the rule of law, but I also respect the office of the President. The President has said that he has no intention of firing Mueller. The longer this goes on with no clear findings, the more I think the American people get fatigued by it. I would want there to be action taken sooner rather than later, or urge the investigation to come to a close. It is wasting taxpayer dollars if there is no substance. Has NAFTA done more to help or hurt the U.S. economy? How would you frame such trade agreements to better serve the Kansas economy? Trade agreements should be made with the US’s best interest in mind. Period. We’ve gone along with our trade deficit for far too long. I certainly believe this is a priority in making America great again. Can you outline how Congress should reform the Affordable Care Act? Well, first of all, I believe it needs to be repealed. We seem to have wandered away from this conversation, but it’s still what I believe should happen. Healthcare costs for the middle class in America have skyrocketed to unsustainable rates, and this can’t continue. Your healthcare premium shouldn’t cost more than your home mortgage.
What is your view of the federal tax reform legislation signed in late 2017 by President Trump? I’m always supportive of decreasing taxes, and I applaud the President for vigilantly pursuing this. Putting more money back into the taxpayers and into the economy is key. How should transgender troops be integrated into the military? Or, should they be blocked from serving? These decisions should be made by those in leadership of our military who know how best to defend our nation and keep the US military in the position of strength and leader of the free world. What do you think about including a citizenship question on the U.S. Census? I think this is a common sense idea and should be implemented. Should Congress move to end all federal funding to Planned Parenthood? Absolutely. Taxpayer funded abortions must end. I supported ending state funding to Planned Parenthood in the legislature, and I would do the same on the federal level. How would you reform federal drug policy — from legalization of marijuana to the access to
DENNIS PYLE
Town of residence: Hiawatha Party affiliation: Republican Age: 57 Job: Farmer Prior elected offices: Kansas House, two years; Kansas Senate, 14 years
addictive pharmaceutical medicines? The legalization of marijuana should be an issue left up to the states. As far as pharmaceuticals, that is between a patient and doctor. Our medical providers must prescribe these medicines with care, but it’s best that we trust the medical professionals for steps to take in this important matter.