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Kansas senator, community hope to see The Woodlands reopen in Kansas City, Kansas
Monday, June 1, 2015
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
PHOTO: Piper High School students serve as pages
From Kansas Sen. Steve Fitzgerald's Office:
On February 12, 2014, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback met with five pages from Senator Steve Fitzergerald’s district. Shown here, left to right, the pages are: Brittany Baumli, Jena Klaas, and Taylor Smith from Piper High School; Senator Fitzgerald; Taryn Schoen and Julie Shearman of Leavenworth High School; and Clara Slobodnik (home schooled), Topeka.
The pages accompanied Senator Fitzgerald during his morning committee meetings, toured the completely renovated Capitol, and worked on the floor of the Senate during the afternoon session.
The students’ enthusiasm and respect reflected well on them, their parents, their schools, and communities. It was a full day of experiencing the legislative process and an excellent reminder to the Legislature of the importance of its work to our future generations.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Analysis: Weaker KCK numbers hurt Kultala
By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com
Having looked at some of the numbers comparing the 2008 election to the 2012 election, one interesting thing is noticeable.
Kansas Sen. Kelly Kultala (D) received less support percentage wise in Wyandotte County this year than she did in 2008.
One of the interesting dynamics of the Kansas Senate District 5 race each year is the Leavenworth County and Wyandotte County vote split. More often than not, the conservative candidate in the race wins Leavenworth County, while the more liberal candidate wins the Wyandotte County portion.
That held up this year - but it was a weaker victory for the Democratic Party in Wyandotte County.
Let's compare the Wyandotte County votes:
2008 - Kultala defeated Fitzgerald 7,919 votes to 5,688 votes - or by a 58-42 margin percentage wise. This was enough to tilt the win for her in 2008.
2012 - Kultala again won Wyandotte County, but this time by just a 54-46 margin. Numbers wise, she won 5,636 to 4,794.
While eight points is still a nice win, it wasn't enough to win - and you could argue the weaker Wyandotte County performance was the sole factor in the Fitzgerald victory.
Here's why.
Combining the final vote in both counties, Fitzgerald won by 823 votes.
If you apply Kultala's 58-42 2008 Wyandotte County victory margin to this year's total amount of voters, she would would have 6,050 votes to Fitzgerald's 4,380. The Wyandotte County margin would have been a 1,670 vote victory - or an 828 vote increase.
Simple math - the difference between 828 votes and 823 (Fitzgerald's winning tally) is just five. We would have had a recount for sure and who knows what happens in a recount.
I have no clue who would have won, but obviously a strong KCK performance for the incumbent helps her path to victory.
For years, the Wyandotte County Republican Party has taken a beating at the polls in KCK.
For one election night, some of KCK's Republicans had the last laugh.
Having looked at some of the numbers comparing the 2008 election to the 2012 election, one interesting thing is noticeable.
Kansas Sen. Kelly Kultala (D) received less support percentage wise in Wyandotte County this year than she did in 2008.
One of the interesting dynamics of the Kansas Senate District 5 race each year is the Leavenworth County and Wyandotte County vote split. More often than not, the conservative candidate in the race wins Leavenworth County, while the more liberal candidate wins the Wyandotte County portion.
That held up this year - but it was a weaker victory for the Democratic Party in Wyandotte County.
Let's compare the Wyandotte County votes:
2008 - Kultala defeated Fitzgerald 7,919 votes to 5,688 votes - or by a 58-42 margin percentage wise. This was enough to tilt the win for her in 2008.
2012 - Kultala again won Wyandotte County, but this time by just a 54-46 margin. Numbers wise, she won 5,636 to 4,794.
While eight points is still a nice win, it wasn't enough to win - and you could argue the weaker Wyandotte County performance was the sole factor in the Fitzgerald victory.
Here's why.
Combining the final vote in both counties, Fitzgerald won by 823 votes.
If you apply Kultala's 58-42 2008 Wyandotte County victory margin to this year's total amount of voters, she would would have 6,050 votes to Fitzgerald's 4,380. The Wyandotte County margin would have been a 1,670 vote victory - or an 828 vote increase.
Simple math - the difference between 828 votes and 823 (Fitzgerald's winning tally) is just five. We would have had a recount for sure and who knows what happens in a recount.
I have no clue who would have won, but obviously a strong KCK performance for the incumbent helps her path to victory.
For years, the Wyandotte County Republican Party has taken a beating at the polls in KCK.
For one election night, some of KCK's Republicans had the last laugh.
In rematch, Fitzgerald unseats Kultala in Kansas District 5
By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com
Just as it happened four years ago, Republican candidate Steve Fitzgerald jumped out to a large lead in the Kansas Senate District 5 race.
This time, however, Democratic Sen. Kelly Kultala could not complete the comeback.
Fitzgerald prevailed in the race, unseating the incumbent and helping offset a Republican loss in the Kansas Senate District 6 race.
He earned 12,609 votes, while Kultala finished with 11,786 total votes. Percentage wise, Fitzgerald won by about a 52-48 margin.
Fitzgerald opened up a large lead early in the night based from his home county of Leavenworth, Kan. He also briefly held the lead among Wyandotte County voters, with Kultala eventually surpassing his total in Wyandotte.
Kultala won the Wyandotte County portion of the vote by a 54-46 margin percentage wise and a 5,636-4,794 raw vote. Four years ago, the Wyandotte County precincts helped Kultala overcome an initial disadvantage.
In terms of party balance among the three Wyandotte County Senate seats, it remains the same as it did entering the election: two Democrats and one Republican.
Kultala was the second incumbent to be defeated; Democrat Pat Pettey cruised to a victory over Republican Chris Steineger.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
VIDEO: Kelly Kultala vs. Steve Fitzgerald
Again, courtesy of Kansas City Kansas Community College, we have more footage from last week's political forum. This features the Kelly Kultala vs. Steve Fitzgerald portion of the forum. They are running for the Kansas Senate. Kultala is the Democratic incumbent, while Fitzgerald is the Republican challenger.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Kultala, Fitzgerald square off on public education, taxes
By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com
In what might have been considered the main event of the Wednesday candidates forum at Kansas City Kansas Community College, Kansas Sen. Kelly Kultala (D, District 6) and Republican challenger Steve Fitzgerald did not exactly make The Huffington Post like they did earlier this week.
But stark differences were noticeable between the candidates, especially in the areas of education and taxes.
On the issue of education, Kultala and Fitzgerald actually share one thing in common - both served on a board of education.
That's about the end of the similarities, though.
Kultala argued for more funding for the K-12 schools, while Fitzgerald said test scores and results have flat-lined over the past 15 years.
"We should be putting more money into education," Kultala said. "I believe that's where our future is. Over the last several years, we've had dramatic cuts in public education."
Kultala added that no institution has been under examination more than public education, arguing it's been "under the microscope" for many in the state.
"Public education is constantly being scrutinized," she said.
For Fitzgerald, the argument with K-12 education centered around results.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Fitzgerald: "One cannot support the Democratic platform and be a follower of Christ."
Believe it or not, Wednesday night's political forum at Kansas City Kansas Community College actually may be interesting after all.
As the race did four years ago, the campaign between Kansas Sen. Kelly Kultala (D) and challenger Steve Fitzgerald is heating up.
During a presentation to the Polish American Club last week, Fitzgerald told the group he believes the Democratic Party's platform is moving away from God and the Catholic Church.
In an interview with The Huffington Post today, Fitzgerald expanded on the comments.
"My main point is that the Democratic platform and policies nationally are an attempt to redefine marriage in effect to say what Christ has said about marriage is a lie," Fitzgerald told The Huffington Post. "Christ said marriage is between one man and one woman and the Democratic platform said that it's not true. So therefore, my point was that one cannot support the Democratic platform and be a follower of Christ."
The Huffington Post also interviewed Kultala about Fitzgerald's comments last week.
Kultala, who defeated Fitzgerald in 2008, is both a Democrat and a Catholic.
"What gives him the right to put Catholics in different categories?" she asked. "I was born and raised a Catholic. He does not have the right to dismiss my faith because it is not the same as his."
Read the entire Huffington Post story here.
As the race did four years ago, the campaign between Kansas Sen. Kelly Kultala (D) and challenger Steve Fitzgerald is heating up.
In an interview with The Huffington Post today, Fitzgerald expanded on the comments.
"My main point is that the Democratic platform and policies nationally are an attempt to redefine marriage in effect to say what Christ has said about marriage is a lie," Fitzgerald told The Huffington Post. "Christ said marriage is between one man and one woman and the Democratic platform said that it's not true. So therefore, my point was that one cannot support the Democratic platform and be a follower of Christ."
The Huffington Post also interviewed Kultala about Fitzgerald's comments last week.
Kultala, who defeated Fitzgerald in 2008, is both a Democrat and a Catholic.
"What gives him the right to put Catholics in different categories?" she asked. "I was born and raised a Catholic. He does not have the right to dismiss my faith because it is not the same as his."
Read the entire Huffington Post story here.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Kansas Secretary of State results: Fitzgerald, Pettey win primaries
By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com
According to the Kansas Secretary of State's Website, Pat Pettey and Steve Fitzgerald have each won their respective primaries.
Fitzgerald cruised to a 61-39 victory over Mark Gilstrap in the Republican primary for the Kansas Senate District 5 race. Vote wise, Fitzgerald won due primarily to his very strong support in Leavenworth County.
He won 67 percent of the vote in Leavenworth County. Gilstrap won just 51 percent of the Wyandotte County vote.
Meanwhile, in the Democratic Party, former Unified Government Commissioner Pat Pettey made easy work of her primary opponent Mario Escobar. Pettey won 73 percent of the vote in the Kansas Senate District 6 primary.
Fitzgerald will take on Kansas Sen. Kelly Kultala in the general election. Pettey will square off against Kansas Sen. Chris Steineger in District 6.
Both races could feature some state-wide interest, as both seats are targeted as possible flips in terms of party numbers.
According to the Kansas Secretary of State's Website, Pat Pettey and Steve Fitzgerald have each won their respective primaries.
Fitzgerald cruised to a 61-39 victory over Mark Gilstrap in the Republican primary for the Kansas Senate District 5 race. Vote wise, Fitzgerald won due primarily to his very strong support in Leavenworth County.
He won 67 percent of the vote in Leavenworth County. Gilstrap won just 51 percent of the Wyandotte County vote.
Meanwhile, in the Democratic Party, former Unified Government Commissioner Pat Pettey made easy work of her primary opponent Mario Escobar. Pettey won 73 percent of the vote in the Kansas Senate District 6 primary.
Fitzgerald will take on Kansas Sen. Kelly Kultala in the general election. Pettey will square off against Kansas Sen. Chris Steineger in District 6.
Both races could feature some state-wide interest, as both seats are targeted as possible flips in terms of party numbers.
Election Day in Wyandotte County
By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com
There are three races in Wyandotte County to keep an eye on today.
Arguably the main event of the evening comes in the 5th District Republican nomination race in the Kansas Senate.
Steve Fitzgerald and former Kansas Sen. Mark Gilstrap will compete for the GOP nomination in order to take on current Kansas Sen. Kelly Kultala. In either matchup, it will be a rematch from 2008.
Kultala defeated Gilstrap in the Democratic Party's primary, when Gilstrap was a Democrat. Later on, she defeated Fitzgerald after a late surge of votes on Election Night in 2008.
The 5th District includes portions of Western Wyandotte County and Leavenworth. Based on the general pattern of Wyandotte County getting results, it could be a late night before this race is over or at least called.
-----
Meanwhile, former Unified Government Commissioner Pat Pettey looks to move on in her race, as she takes on fellow Democrat Mario Escobar in the 6th District.
The winner of the race will take on current Kansas Sen. Chris Steineger in the general election.
-----
The third primary election will include a very small part of Wyandotte County, but it still counts.
Lake Quivera Republicans will choose between Mary Pilcher-Cook and Tom Wertz for their party's nomination.
-----
While election day here is not as busy as other places, these are still important races to vote on.
If you live in these districts and if you're registered to vote, do it. Not to bore you with the "it's the democratic process" lecture, but it's one of the view times a year where the population gets to exhibit power. Take advantage of it.
I will be here until all the races are done.
As we edge closer to the general election, we'll be doing candidate questionnaires in an effort for readers and voters to get an idea of who they should vote for depending on what they believe.
Kansas polls opened up at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. tonight.
There are three races in Wyandotte County to keep an eye on today.
Arguably the main event of the evening comes in the 5th District Republican nomination race in the Kansas Senate.
Steve Fitzgerald and former Kansas Sen. Mark Gilstrap will compete for the GOP nomination in order to take on current Kansas Sen. Kelly Kultala. In either matchup, it will be a rematch from 2008.
Kultala defeated Gilstrap in the Democratic Party's primary, when Gilstrap was a Democrat. Later on, she defeated Fitzgerald after a late surge of votes on Election Night in 2008.
The 5th District includes portions of Western Wyandotte County and Leavenworth. Based on the general pattern of Wyandotte County getting results, it could be a late night before this race is over or at least called.
-----
Meanwhile, former Unified Government Commissioner Pat Pettey looks to move on in her race, as she takes on fellow Democrat Mario Escobar in the 6th District.
The winner of the race will take on current Kansas Sen. Chris Steineger in the general election.
-----
The third primary election will include a very small part of Wyandotte County, but it still counts.
Lake Quivera Republicans will choose between Mary Pilcher-Cook and Tom Wertz for their party's nomination.
-----
While election day here is not as busy as other places, these are still important races to vote on.
If you live in these districts and if you're registered to vote, do it. Not to bore you with the "it's the democratic process" lecture, but it's one of the view times a year where the population gets to exhibit power. Take advantage of it.
I will be here until all the races are done.
As we edge closer to the general election, we'll be doing candidate questionnaires in an effort for readers and voters to get an idea of who they should vote for depending on what they believe.
Kansas polls opened up at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. tonight.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Kansans for Life endorses candidates in Wyandotte County
By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com
The Kansans for Life Political Action Committee, a pro-life organization, has announced its endorsement of political candidates for the 2012 election.
Several Wyandotte County candidates received endorsements, including one Democrat.
In the Kansas Senate, both Mark Gilstrap and Steve Fitzgerald were endorsed by Kansans for Life in the Kansas Senate District 5 Republican primary. In Kansas Senate District 4, Republican Joe Ward was endorsed.
In the Kansas Senate District 6 race, there's a bit of a twist.
The organization chose not to endorse Kansas Sen. Chris Steineger (R), but endorsed Democratic candidate Mario Escobar, who's running against former Unified Government Commissioner Pat Pettey in the Democratic Party's primary.
Escobar was one of just 12 Democratic candidates state-wide endorsed by Kansans for Life.
Meanwhile, on the House side of things, Republicans Shawn Shipp (District 36), Tony Bukaty (District 33) and Tim Kelb (District 31) were endorsed by the PAC.
The Kansans for Life Political Action Committee, a pro-life organization, has announced its endorsement of political candidates for the 2012 election.
Several Wyandotte County candidates received endorsements, including one Democrat.
In the Kansas Senate, both Mark Gilstrap and Steve Fitzgerald were endorsed by Kansans for Life in the Kansas Senate District 5 Republican primary. In Kansas Senate District 4, Republican Joe Ward was endorsed.
In the Kansas Senate District 6 race, there's a bit of a twist.
The organization chose not to endorse Kansas Sen. Chris Steineger (R), but endorsed Democratic candidate Mario Escobar, who's running against former Unified Government Commissioner Pat Pettey in the Democratic Party's primary.
Escobar was one of just 12 Democratic candidates state-wide endorsed by Kansans for Life.
Meanwhile, on the House side of things, Republicans Shawn Shipp (District 36), Tony Bukaty (District 33) and Tim Kelb (District 31) were endorsed by the PAC.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Wyandotte County to have two primaries in August, more competitive races in November
By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com
With the deadline to file as a candidate for a position in the Kansas Legislature up, it's time to see how the Wyandotte County political scene will shape up over the next few months.
Along with having more competitive races in the general election, Wyandotte County will also feature two primaries in early August.
Mark Gilstrap and Steve Fitzgerald will clash for the Republican nomination in the Kansas Senate 5 race, while Pat Pettey and Mario Escobar are both seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for the Kansas Senate 6 race.
Incumbents Kelly Kultala (D) and Chris Steineger (R) will take on the winners.
Here are all the candidates, according to the Kansas Secretary of State's Website.
All incumbents are listed in italics. The candidates are listed in the order they were featured in on the state's Website.
HOUSE
31st District
Louis Ruiz (D)
Tim Kelb (R)
32nd District
Mike Peterson (D)
33rd District
Tom Burroughs (D)
Tony Bukaty (R)
34th District
Valdenia Winn (D)
35th District
Broderick Henderson (D)
36th District
Kathy Wolfe Moore (D)
Shawn A. Shipp (R)
37th District
Stan Frownfelter (D)
------
SENATE
District 4
David Haley (D)
Joe Ward (R)
District 5
Kelly Kultala (D)
Steve Fitzgerald (R)
Mark Gilstrap (R)
District 6
Mario Escobar (D)
Pat Pettey (D)
Chris Steineger (R)
With the deadline to file as a candidate for a position in the Kansas Legislature up, it's time to see how the Wyandotte County political scene will shape up over the next few months.
Mark Gilstrap and Steve Fitzgerald will clash for the Republican nomination in the Kansas Senate 5 race, while Pat Pettey and Mario Escobar are both seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for the Kansas Senate 6 race.
Incumbents Kelly Kultala (D) and Chris Steineger (R) will take on the winners.
Here are all the candidates, according to the Kansas Secretary of State's Website.
All incumbents are listed in italics. The candidates are listed in the order they were featured in on the state's Website.
HOUSE
31st District
Louis Ruiz (D)
Tim Kelb (R)
32nd District
Mike Peterson (D)
33rd District
Tom Burroughs (D)
Tony Bukaty (R)
34th District
Valdenia Winn (D)
35th District
Broderick Henderson (D)
36th District
Kathy Wolfe Moore (D)
Shawn A. Shipp (R)
37th District
Stan Frownfelter (D)
------
SENATE
District 4
David Haley (D)
Joe Ward (R)
District 5
Kelly Kultala (D)
Steve Fitzgerald (R)
Mark Gilstrap (R)
District 6
Mario Escobar (D)
Pat Pettey (D)
Chris Steineger (R)
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Former Republican nominee to challenge Gilstrap for GOP nomination in District 5
By NICK SLOAN, NJSloan212@gmail.com
There will be a contested primary for the Republican nomination in the Kansas Senate District 5 race.
Steve Fitzgerald, a Republican who narrowly lost to current Kansas Sen. Kelly Kultala in the 2008 election, will be running for the seat once again.
Fitzgerald made the decision after a three-judge panel released their redistricting plans late last week.
The boundaries for the 5th District include portions of both Leavenworth County and Wyandotte County.
“I have always been happy to run in the 5th District and look forward to campaigning again with my friends in Wyandotte," Fitzgerald said. "Leavenworth County should have had a home senate district. But, the court has spoken.”
Retired from the U.S. Army, Fitzgerald is a small business owner who believes he can help put Kansas - and the Fifth District - on a path towards economic growth.
"I am in favor of economic growth and small business and intend to highlight differences with my Democrat and recent-Democrat opponents," Fitzgerald said in a news release. "This election is about how to get our economy moving again, it is about jobs, more efficient, limited government, and especially about respecting the rights of the people to keep what they earn."
Fitzgerald was the treasurer of the Kansas Republican Party and was previously the Vice President of the Leavenworth School Board.
He's also served the party as a precinct captain and has been involved in multiple state-wide GOP campaigns.
He will challenge Mark Gilstrap for the Republican nomination.
There will be a contested primary for the Republican nomination in the Kansas Senate District 5 race.
Steve Fitzgerald, a Republican who narrowly lost to current Kansas Sen. Kelly Kultala in the 2008 election, will be running for the seat once again.
Fitzgerald made the decision after a three-judge panel released their redistricting plans late last week.
“I have always been happy to run in the 5th District and look forward to campaigning again with my friends in Wyandotte," Fitzgerald said. "Leavenworth County should have had a home senate district. But, the court has spoken.”
Retired from the U.S. Army, Fitzgerald is a small business owner who believes he can help put Kansas - and the Fifth District - on a path towards economic growth.
"I am in favor of economic growth and small business and intend to highlight differences with my Democrat and recent-Democrat opponents," Fitzgerald said in a news release. "This election is about how to get our economy moving again, it is about jobs, more efficient, limited government, and especially about respecting the rights of the people to keep what they earn."
Fitzgerald was the treasurer of the Kansas Republican Party and was previously the Vice President of the Leavenworth School Board.
He's also served the party as a precinct captain and has been involved in multiple state-wide GOP campaigns.
He will challenge Mark Gilstrap for the Republican nomination.
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