Democratic primary voters in Senate District 19 will have their choice of three candidates: ShaMecha King Simms, Vic Miller and Patrick Schmidt.
The winner in the Aug. 6 primary election will face the winner of the Republican primary — Cynthia Smith or Tyler Wible — in the Nov. 5 general election.
The Capital-Journal posed the same questions to each candidate. Answers were lightly edited for formatting.
What background information would you like voters to know about you?
King Simms: "Voters, I want you to know that my life is the same as yours. I get up each day and try to make a life for myself and my child with the same tools you might use: a job, a sense of purpose, and a semblance of good sense. The experience I bring to the Kansas Senate District 19 is a mixture of personal and professional insights:
- 17 years of experience as a Head of Household.
- 15 years of service in public classrooms throughout Shawnee and Douglas County.
- 6 years of leadership opportunities on non-profit boards.
- 5 years of a citizen-based pedagogy of how government decisions impact a community. Years of trial, error, and resilience within these various planes have prepared me to sift through large waves of complex information; the needed flexibility and adaptability to work in concert with others; and the ability to work in stressful times.
"We have experience with legislators passing bills based on ego and self-interest, I want to be a legislator whose only concern are the voters."
Miller: "I am one of seven children raised on a farm near the tiny town of Delia and graduated from Rossville High School here in Shawnee County. I received my B.S. in Business from Kansas State Teachers College (now Emporia State) where I met my wife, Jolene and was elected student body president. We made our home in Topeka immediately after college and raised one son here. I received my J.D. from Washburn Law School. I have served as Deputy Mayor of Topeka, Shawnee County Commission Chair, Topeka Municipal Judge, and, most pertinent to the position I seek, State Representative (House Democratic Leader) and State Senator."
Schmidt: "I'm a Naval intelligence officer currently serving in the Naval reserves and a 6th generation Kansan. My parents were both public school teachers and suffered through the devastating Brownback experiment. My wife and I reside in the Central Park neighborhood in Topeka."
What is your motivation for running to represent this district?
King Simms: "My run for Kansas Senate District 19 blossomed from my triumphs and setbacks while living in Topeka, Shawnee County for nearly half my adult life.
"In trying to help myself, I learned how to support other individuals and organizations actively working to disrupt, dismantle, and reframe presuppositions, especially around poverty and socioeconomic issues.
"I’m running for Kansas Senate because this is my home. I have lived through representation that simply watched disparity grow from a crack to a chasm that elected officials struggle to move toward solutions for addressing.
"I’m exhausted with voting for people who have the money to run glossy campaigns but will not put in the years of the groundwork necessary to understand how mechanisms of marginalization play out locally.
"My eyes are clear, and I can see — the opportunity for representation reflective of our community now and toward a direction that embodies our highest goals has never been closer."
Miller: "With so few Democratic State Senators in the Kansas Senate, it is imperative that we return this seat to the Democratic column. For the first time in nearly 60 years, the seat is held by a Republican and his voting record does not reflect the views of the people that live here. I have always tried to be an advocate for public education, reproductive freedom and a progressive tax system that provides relief to those who need it the most and taxes those who can most afford it. I consider it an honor and a privilege to represent the people that trust me with their vote and work as hard as I can to earn their continued support."
Schmidt: "It became clear to me while running for Congress in 2022 that the Kansas legislature desperately needed better leadership. Watching the Extremist GOP run roughshod over Gov. Laura Kelly and Kansas women with their constitution amendment to ban abortion and continually overriding Gov, Kelly's vetoes, I decided soon after the 2022 election that I would seek this seat to bring new leadership to the Kansas senate."
Even after the special session, leaders of both parties say more needs done on property taxes. What should the Legislature do next year on taxes?
King Simms: "The Legislature should do what is possible to lower property taxes for the residents of Kansas, especially those that are disabled and elderly. Failure to act on this issue will only increase the challenges we face regarding unhoused Kansans across the state. However, this will require coordinated action with local governments as well.
"The Legislature is fairly limited in what they will be able to do, without causing massive budget deficits in future years. The income tax cuts passed, that largely benefitted the wealthiest Kansans, has spent most of the budgetary surplus. However, once in office, I am looking forward to budget briefings that provide up to date numbers, so we know what is and is not possible."
Miller: "1) Submit a constitutional amendment to the voters to lower the assessment rate for residential property from 11.5% to 9%; 2) Restore the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund and fund it to the tune of $130,000,000; 3) Raise the exemption on homes from the statewide school mill levy from $75,000 to $100,000 and 4) Grant the property tax exemption for totally disabled veterans that was vetoed by the Governor. These actions alone would reduce the average property tax on homes by 17%."
Schmidt: "We must protect elimination of sales taxes on food and work to ensure that the Extremist GOP doesn't once again enact Brownback 2.0, showering more lavish tax cuts on their billionaire benefactors while leaving hard-working Kansans paying the bill."
What do you think is the appropriate role of the Legislature on abortion policy following the Value Them Both vote?
King Simms: "After the August 2022 primary vote on bodily autonomy, I believe it is the Legislature’s role to get out of the way on this issue. Kansans overwhelming voted to maintain a constitutional right to bodily autonomy, which the Kansas Supreme Court recently upheld. The process and decision made when seeking abortion care are deeply personal and should be the sole realm of those seeking care, spouses, and the doctors. Kansas women do not to be laden with protestors, guilt trips, and/or shame when making the appropriate decisions for themselves!"
Miller: "Republican legislators should stop attempting to stick their noses into a woman's choices relating to reproductive care. One Republican legislator incredibly stated during passage of one bill that is was being done to "know better what decisions Legislators should make for women". The people have spoken and the Kansas Supreme Court has ruled that these are decisions to be made between a woman and her doctor--not the government."
Schmidt: "The legislature should honor the voters wishes and stop trying to ban abortion in Kansas. No means No!"
Do you support Medicaid expansion, and if so, what will you do to advocate for it?
King Simms: "1000% yes, I support Medicaid Expansion in Kansas. It is common sense policy that will provide meaningful healthcare to Kansans and help eliminate the threat of medical debt. In the Kansas Senate, I will be advocating for fair hearings early in the session, and push for votes to be held so that the people of Kansas know where their elected officials stand on the issue. If Democrats make progress in breaking the Republican supermajority, I will work with Governor Kelly, to force this issue before advancing budget bills or any other strategy her team develops that has a reasonable chance of success."
Miller: "I enthusiastically support Medicaid expansion, have voted to do so and was privileged to grant Governor Kelly's request that I ask for the introduction of her 2024 proposal before the House Appropriations Committee. I will continue to utilize every legislative tool to make it happen. Having an experienced legislator in this position makes me the most qualified candidate to be able to do just that."
Schmidt: "Yes, and I will work tirelessly to help enact it. I am hopeful that if we can elect more allies to Gov. Laura Kelly, we can actually accomplish this goal."
What other issue(s) are top priorities for you?
King Simms: "Maternal Health, Kansas is suffering from some devasting maternal health outcomes especially as it impacts people of color and low-income areas. This must be addressed by more than just reports and studies. We need to examine what other states with better outcomes are providing to their residents to reverse this dangerous trend.
"Voting Rights: Recent Legislative sessions have seen attacks on voting rights for all Kansans. We need to be listening to our Secretary of State and other election officials who have said time and again that there is no evidence of voter fraud, and work to make it as simple and as safe as possible.
"Unhoused Kansans, the Legislature has tip-toed around this issue for about two years. However, it is past time for meaningful programs to be developed and funded that work to provide pathways for unhoused Kansans to receive and maintain affordable housing."
Miller: "Reform of Kansas' outdated cannabis laws; eliminating the Medicaid Waiver waiting list for the Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled; replacing the Tier 3 KPERS pension plan with one that actually provides a decent pension for our KPERS employees; granting a COLA for our retired KPERS employees; passage of the Opioid Notification Act; passage of the National Popular Vote Act; enacting election day voter registration; removing the sales tax on hygiene products."
Schmidt: "We must protect women's rights, including the right to contraception, IVF and access to essential healthcare. The Extremist GOP will stop at nothing to enact their draconian views on Kansans and we must be vigilant and work to stop them. We must also work to reduce gun violence in Kansas by enacting laws that work to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of criminals."
How will you personally work toward bringing down the escalation of violent political rhetoric?
King Simms: "I believe I have led by example in my campaign. I have not attacked any of my opponents, I think they are great individuals. I just think and have said that my approaches offer a better wat forward for the residents of Senate District 19. We cannot and should not continue the politics of personal attacks and negative campaigning."
Miller: "I will condemn in the strongest terms the use of any violent political rhetoric by anyone associated with my campaign or in my role as House Democratic leader."
Schmidt: "The best way to bring down violent political rhetoric is to talk to one another. I look forward, if elected, to working across the aisle to bring common-sense solutions to Kansans."
Do you have any endorsem*nts you want to highlight?
King Simms: "Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Distinction Candidate. We must develop and adopt common sense gun policies regarding safe storage and red flag laws that allow a process for removing guns from those who pose a danger to themselves and others. Gun violence is a problem that needs a lot more attention than it has received in recent legislative sessions."
Miller: "Recommended by KNEA; endorsed by former 19th District and Kansas Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley, every Democratic State Representative in the 19th Senate District (Rep. John Alcala, Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, Rep. Virgil Weigel and Rep. Mike Amyx), Topeka Mayor Mike Padilla and Cannabis Justice Coalition; named as Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate of Distinction, Interhab Champion for the Intellectually & Developmentally Disabled, the Mainstream Coalition and Game On For Kansas Schools Varsity Roster."
Schmidt: "I have been endorsed by Gov. Laura Kelly, former Governor John Carlin, SMART, IFPTE."
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