Democratic state Rep. Stan Frownfelter announced Tuesday morning he will launch a write-in campaign against his primary rival who has acknowledged allegations of bullying, blackmail and revenge porn.
“The voters in our community didn’t have a full understanding of my opponent, or the kind of person he really is,” Frownfelter said in a statement.
“It was easy for him to have quick conversations with voters, trying to get their vote, without revealing this dark side of him that we see now so clearly.
“This is why I encourage every voter to truly educate themselves on the candidates before casting their ballot and to get out there and vote. Every single vote matters.”
Democrat Aaron Coleman upset Frownfelter in the primary by 14 votes despite being widely condemned for mocking the prospect of Republicans dying of COVID-19 in posts on Facebook.
The Kansas City Star also published an editorial after the election detailing how he victimized multiple girls while he was in middle school. He has acknowledged those allegations in multiple interviews.
Coleman could not be reached for immediate comment on Tuesday morning.
Coleman seemed assured of a seat in the Kansas House until Frownfelter announced his plan to mount a write-in campaign in the general election.
“There is a clear and obvious contrast here,” said Kansas House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, “that demonstrates Rep. Frownfelter as the sole person in this race who is fit for public office.”
Frownfelter has represented the 37th District in Wyandotte County since 2007. He is seeking an eighth term in the House.
Frownfelter is facing an uphill climb to beat a candidate whose name will be on the ballot.
Two years ago, former Republican state Rep. Steve Becker mounted an aggressive write-in campaign after losing to Paul Waggoner by nine votes in the primary.
Becker received 3,981 write-in votes in the general election but still lost to Waggoner, who received 5,076 votes.
Frownfelter is still fairly well financed, however. He had $19,575 on hand as of July 23. Coleman had $1,441 in his campaign fund.
