Usha Reddi is out of the U.S. Senate race, but hasn’t left state politics.
The former Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate is back, this time seeking to become the party’s national committeewoman on the Democratic National Committee.
Reddi is in a race to replace Teresa Krusor, who is retiring. Reddi is up against Yolanda Taylor, who has served as secretary and chair of the African American Democratic Caucus of Kansas.
Meanwhile, there is a race to unseat National Committeeman Chris Reeves. Former U.S. Attorney Randy Rathbun of Wichita is running against Reeves with the support of House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer and Krusor, the outgoing national committeewoman.
The voting is set to end Friday with the winners announced that day or Saturday.
Reddi, the mayor of Manhattan, touts her Senate campaign as giving her the experience to serve the Democratic Party well.
“I recently ran for the U.S. Senate and had the privilege of traveling to many counties, speaking with many Democrats and organizations about the challenges they are facing and the importance of having representation in policy making,” Reddi said in an email to Democrats.
“I am committed and determined to fight aggressively for resources, resolutions and policies that will assist Kansas Democrats and not just densely populated Democratic states such as California and New York. We should be working to build our base not reduce it,” she said.
Taylor, meanwhile, emphasizes her 20 years of commitment to the Democratic Party.
“If selected as the DNC committeewoman, the Kansas Democratic Party will be represented by an individual who is respectful, has integrity and is committed to tackle issues that matters to us as Democrats, Taylor said.
In the race for national committeeman, Reeves talked about his work in the 2018 governor’s race, most notably his efforts to make independent candidate Greg Orman irrelevant in the field that included Laura Kelly and Kris Kobach.
“During the campaign in 2018, I either self-funded or organized other outside groups to fund polling data almost every three weeks in the governor’s race, to keep the Republicans responding to data and to minimize the Greg Orman vote.
“This kept the press reporting on the power of the vote for our governor and the support that she had was broad and wide. We did not let the Republicans own the airwaves.”
The Shawnee Democrat said he is committed to the same strategy in 2018 in an effort to keep the GOP on the defensive in the upcoming U.S. Senate race and legislative elections.
Rathbun has support from the House minority leader and the outgoing national committeewoman.
“To win this fall, we need leaders who will unite us. The stakes are just too high,” Krusor said in an email to Democrats.
“Electing Joe Biden and Barbara Bollier will require each of us to work for the greater good – to sacrifice and to put ego and ambition aside. Randy Rathbun is the person we need at this moment to unite our party.”
Rathbun has served as treasurer of the Kansas Democratic Party and 4th District chair of Bill Clinton’s and Joe Biden’s presidential campaigns. He also served as the party’s 4th District chair. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress in the 4th District in 1996.
Sawyer gave his support to Rathbun.
“I have known Randy since 1984. He has been a tireless work and monetary supported of our party and candidates. I believe he would make an excellent DNC committeeman.”
Reeves stood by his record as a Democratic Party leader.
“I believe every member of our state committee is entitled to make their own decision as to how they vote,” Reeves said in an interview.
“I believe I have served the Kansas Democratic Party well,” he said. “We have elected a congresswoman and a governor and increased our standing in the statehouse.
“I am very grateful for the friendships I have and look forward to serving four more years.”
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