Kansas State Senator Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson, hosted a forum featuring some Reno County Republican candidates Monday evening in the Morton Building at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
On Steffen’s social media account, he said only registered Republicans and unaffiliated voters were allowed to attend. No audio, photos or video recording was allowed at the event.
“Tonight is a celebration of Republican values,” Steffen said. “With the assassination attempt, we’ve suddenly seen this call for unity. It requires a foundation, which is our Kansas Republican Party values. It’s a Christian-based document like the Constitution.”
Rep. Michael Murphy and Bob Fee spoke at the forum as the two Republican candidates for Kansas Senate District 34, Steffen’s current seat. Rep. Joe Seiwert, representing the 101st Kansas House District, was also in attendance. Candidate Steve Schweizer and a representative from Kevin Schwertfeger, candidates for Kansas House District 114, also attended the event.
Candidate Tyson Thrall, a Republican for the 102nd house district, also spoke at the forum. His opponent, Kyler Sweely, was not allowed to speak and was denied a seat at the candidate’s table.
“I am running because we need a member of the Kansas House willing to stand up to the Biden agenda,” Sweely wrote in a statement following the event. “I’m looking forward to earning my party’s nomination and standing with Republicans in support of President Trump’s agenda. That’s my goal and why I’m running, and I’m not going to be distracted by silly political games.”
When asked why Sweely was not allowed to attend the forum, Steffen didn’t respond.
“You have to give everyone a fair chance,” Cheryl Thompson, a supporter of Sweely, said. “Everyone has the right to their own candidate. It’s the same thing as keeping someone off the ballot.”
Thrall said Steffen hosted the forum and could make his own rules about who could be present and speak.
“I try not to pay attention to those things and stay in my lane,” Thrall said. “That’s up to Mark Steffen. He can choose who he wants to have here.”
Rep. Paul Waggoner, the current representative for Kansas House District 104, said he was “disappointed, but not surprised” at Steffen’s exclusion of Sweely.
“I think it’s a bit of a scandal,” Waggoner said. “Steffen advertised that he and the Reno County GOP were sponsoring this. To exclude a Republican candidate was short-sided and pettiness, which is a part of Steffen. It’s why he’s not on the ballot. He can’t win. He’s about himself and not the party.”
Robin Jackson, the secretary of the Reno County Republican party, said the party did not sponsor the event. She said Steffen purchased and rented the building on his own behalf.
Waggoner said he believes Sweely is the best choice to defeat incumbent Rep. Jason Probst, D-Hutchinson, who represents the 102nd house district.
“Every other forum we’ve had is open to the public,” Waggoner said. “Aren’t you trying to win people to your side? You wouldn’t see this in any other county.”
Fee said to his understanding, the event was sponsored solely by Steffen.
“I did think it was bad that there were two people here, Paul Waggoner was also here, he’s also a candidate, and perhaps since Joe Seiwert doesn’t have an opponent, maybe Paul should’ve been here and Kyler should have been here too,” Fee said.
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