Lots of odds and ends in the governor’s race on Monday, none the least of which was another episode in the ongoing battle between Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer and Secretary of State Kris Kobach, this time with the National Rifle Association in the middle. Let’s take a look at what’s been happening on Monday.
NRA endorses Colyer
The NRA came out and endorsed Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer in the governor’s race, which had to be surprising to some given how much emphasis Kobach places on Second Amendment rights (no one is forgetting the red-white-and-blue Jeep with the replica machine gun any time soon).
But it’s worth knowing that an NRA official said the organization has a policy of endorsing pro-gun incumbents and both Colyer and Kobach received ‘A’ ratings.
Nevertheless, Kobach and his team went to work even before the NRA decision was announced, touting an endorsement from the Gun Owners of America – an organization that the Kobach campaign said “does not have an establishment bias in the form of an incumbent-protection rule.”
“Kris is a fighter who will never back down from left- wing groups attempting to limit one of the nation’s most valued freedoms,” said Kobach campaign manager J.R. Claeys. “Gun Owners of America clearly realizes the Kansas governor’s race is to
o important to ignore.”
Meanwhile, Colyer thanked the NRA for its endorsement.
“I am proud to be the candidate endorsed by the NRA in the race for governor,” Colyer said in a statement. “The Second Amendment is the load-bearing wall of the Constitution, it must be protected or the whole institution will come crumbling down.”
The NRA endorsement, Kobach said, does not reflect how Kansas gun owners feel. Kobach cited a Kansas State Rifle Association poll that showed him with support from 57 percent of the 984 members that were surveyed.
Kelly announces rural development plan
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Laura Kelly on Monday announced a plan for fostering development in rural Kansas.
“Every Kansan should have access to a high quality of life, regardless of their zip code,” Kelly said in a statement.
“Yet for too long, rural Kansas has been left behind. And the failed policies of the Brownback-Colyer Administration made matters worse,” she said.
Her plan is intended to develop rural housing, invest in rural infrastructure such as roads and high-speed Internet service and support rural healthcare.
Here’s a look at the full plan that she unveiled on Monday.
EMILY’s List fires back at Orman associate
The national political group, EMILY’s List, on Monday took aim at Greg Orman associate, Scott Poor, for mocking her professionally.
Poor posted comments on Kelly’s gubernatorial Facebook page ridiculing her work as a recreational therapist, a position in which she helped children with mental illness.
“Greg Orman’s chief aide is either ignorant, sexist, or both to accuse leader Laura Kelly of never holding a ‘real’ job,” Christina Reynolds, vice president of communications at EMILY’s List, said in a statement.
“These attacks are not surprising from a campaign devoid of substance and a candidate who is clearly out of touch with lives of Kansas working families.”
EMILY’s List is backing Kelly in the campaign. The Orman camp has said that Poor did not speak for the candidate.
Wisconsin governor backs Colyer
Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker on Monday backed Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer in the governor’s race.
“Gov. Jeff Colyer has shown real common sense, conservative leadership — and public service is all about fighting for what’s right and winning,” Walker said in a statement.
“I’m glad to endorse Jeff Colyer because I know he’ll stand up for hard-working families to get things done.”
