Former Kansas Democratic Party Executive Director Ethan Corson is putting his foot on the gas in what may be one of the most watched Senate races in the state.
Facing a primary in District 7 against four-term state Rep. Stephanie Clayton, Corson on Monday morning introduced a series of endorsements from elected officials, many of them who just won their elections last fall and represent parts of the district.
“These changemakers are putting our progressive values into action by increasing transparency, making our communities more open and welcoming, and planning a sustainable future for the next generation,” Corson said in a statement.
“We have broad support across Senate 7 and are on track to win the primary and general election,” he said.
Corson has picked up support from Overland Park City Council member Logan Heley; Prairie Village City Council member Tucker Poling; Roeland Park City Council members Jan Faidley, Jennifer Hill and Claudia McCormack; Mission City Council member Hillary Parker Thomas; and Johnson County Community College Trustee Angelina Lawson.
Westwood Hills Mayor Paula Schwach and City Council member Ed Gogol are also supporting Corson in his bid for the state Senate.
Among the political newcomers backing Corson is a slate of candidates elected to the Water One board: Melanie Kraft, Greg Mitchell and Whitney Wilson. Also supporting Corson is newly elected Community College Trustee Laura Smith-Everett.
Others supporting Corson include Overland Park City Council member-elect Holly Grummert, Prairie Village Council members-elect Ian Graves and Inga Selders, as well as Roeland Park Council members-elect Trisha Bauer and Benjamin Dickens. Mission Council member-elect Trent Boultinghouse and Fairway Council member-elect Tom Cotter also are endorsing Corson.
The Senate primary for Senate District 7 is one of the more anticipated primary races, primarily because of the high profile of each of the candidates.
Clayton was first elected to the Kansas House in 2012 and already represents a large chunk of Senate District 7, which is coming open with Barbara Bollier’s decision to run for the U.S. Senate next year. Clayton now represents 18 of the 76 precincts that are in Senate District 7.
Clayton said in a text message that she will work with other lawmakers on issues ranging from a statewide nondiscrimination law, making adjustments in the property tax lid and addressing appraisal issues relating to large retail box stores.
“As a legislator, it is my role to help them as we head into the legislative session, not to ask them to help me,” she said in a text this morning.
Senate District 7 is in the heart of the Democratic territory in northeastern Johnson County. Many of the county’s Democratic House members live in this part of the county.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly defeated Republican Kris Kobach by about 39 percentage points in this district last year, and Democratic Congresswoman Sharice Davids beat Kevin Yoder by 28 percentage points.
