Primary Preview: U.S. House Dist. 2 Democrats

Rep. Lynn Jenkins represents Kansas’ Second District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Come the general election, she’ll face a challenger. Voters will determine just who that democratic challenger will be in Tuesday’s primary election.

The three Democrats vying to replace Jenkins include Topeka lawyer Robert “Bob” Eye, Topeka pastor Tobias Schlingensiepen and Ottawa small business owner Scott Barnhart.

Each was asked the same questions, and no guidance was given to length of response. Some responses have been shortened for space concerns, which will be indicated by ellipses.

What separates you from the other candidates?

Barnhart: I’m kind of more an in the middle guy. I’m a little bit center left. I’ve run for office before as a Republican and an independent. I’m kind of right there in the middle.

Eye: My experience. I have 31 years of practicing law and representing clients in environmental, civil and constitutional law, and that prepares me to take on many important issues facing Congress. I’ve dealt with major companies and argued in cases in energy and environmental law, employee and consumer protection. My experience and knowledge allow me to hit the ground running. That gives me an advantage over my opponents, who do not have similar experience.

Schlingensiepen: We can’t get our country moving again unless we break through the gridlock in Washington, and we can’t do that unless we learn to work together. I’ve spent my entire career listening to people from all walks of life. I’ve learned to bring people together to fix problems as I did when I worked with Republicans and Democrats to stop Gov. Sam Brownback from closing a needed hospital (the Kansas Neurological Insitute). Overcoming challenges requires trust, so here’s my promise to the voters of the 2nd District. If I give you my word, you can trust that I’ll keep it. When I give you my time, you can trust that I’ll hear what you have to say, respect your opinion, and work with you to fix the problems we face.

No one wants to waste taxpayers’ money. How do you propose protecting taxpayer dollars?

Eye: By doing my best to watch every expenditure by Congress. There are a few specific things. Government programs are not efficient and are not solving problems. I’m interested in opportunities to trim various budgets. The Department of Defense has been maintatining outposts throughout the world. We need to look very carefully at closing outposts and bringing the troops home. This would trim the budget substantially. Subsidies to oil companies ought to be ended for two reasons. First, they should be paying their fair share. Second, we need to transition away from that to endurable sources like wind and solar.

Schlingensiepen: I’ll tell you first thing I’m going to do. I’m going to stop these bogus post-card mailers that are being sent at taxpayer expense. Do you know that Lynn Jenkins spent more than $400,000 in one year on those mailers? I’m often asked which committees I would like the serve on if I’m elected. After what we’ve seen in the 2nd District, I’ve got my eye on the House Committee on Ethics. Our representatives in Washington need to be held accountable. Not wasting taxpayer’s dollars is making sure that our taxes are spent efficiently and effectively.

Barnhart: There’s probably a lot of things that need to be audited. With the GSA scandal, we have seen what they do with taxpayer money. A lot of oversight needs to be accomplished. We’ve got a lot of people enjoying a free lunch on the government, and that’s not alright.

How do you plan to help this area grow?

Schlingensiepen: I’ll work to bring jobs to the 2nd District and help jump-start the nation’s economy. We must reverse the incentives that encourage businesses to send jobs out of the country. We must strengthen our infrastructure – an undertaking that both creates jobs and gives businesses the transportation system, bridges, rural telecommunications and other tools they need to succeed. We must invest in partnerships between higher education and business to create the next high-tech revolution. We must promote wind energy and the other resources Kansas has in such abundance.

Barnhart: A lot of things have gotten to the point we need to look at making sure small businesses aren’t getting squeezed. Big government and big gcompanies are hogging all the attention. Companies can swallow up a lot of small businesses, and that reduces the number of people in the work force. We can’t grow. It makes it harder for small businesses to get started with things like that.... It seems like the big boys get all the tax breaks, and government works for the big guys. It’s hard for the little guy to make it.

Eye: We are missing a tremendous opportunity to take advantage of the fact Kansas is the Saudi Arabia of wind. Republicans in the House have played a game with the production tax credit. ...Kansas is missing out on an opportunity. Wind generators up here are built in Europe and Asia. They should be built in Kansas. If Republicans were replaced, we could provide a huge shift in the area for the economy of Kansas. There are opportunities in terms of upgrading infrastructure in the country, and Kansas specifically. Bridges need to be rebuilt, highways upgraded, schools replaced. That will eventually create opportunities for jobs. ...We need to take advantage of opportunitieis and upgrade infrastructure.

If elected, what will you do for the residents of this district?

Barnhart: I’d reduce it so people have a lot more freedom in what they want to do with their money. There are a lot of people in this district who are self-reliant. Real estate agents, lawyers, small business owners, who want government and big busineess to stay away from them. Government is inefficient and big business shouldn’t be getting too many breaks. I’d be looking out for the little guy.

Eye: First, to improve the infrastructure and promote renewable resources. I’d institute a fair tax structure so... everyone would be paying their fair share. I’d be closing loopholes, because the wealthiest companies are paying less percentage than a middle-class family. I’d emphasize the opportunity to review education and make it so it’s adequately funded. Moreover, health care should be a right in this country, not based on whether you can pay for it. I’d also protect Medicare and Social Security. ...One of the issues I’m raising is veterans returning from multiple deployments and receiving additional support. The rate of soldier suicides and domestic violence is far too high. They should have the very best because they have given the best they have....

Schlingensiepen: I’ll restore constituent services to the level the people of the 2nd District want and deserve from their representative. I will protect Social Security and Medicare and work for a comprehensive deficit reduction plan. I will safeguard workers, and make certain they get a fair deal. I will hold the big banks accountable. They owe us some money – and some respect.