Five Republican candidates discussed their stances on lobbyists, special interest groups and abortion at a forum hosted by State Senator Mark Steffen, R-Hutchinson, at the Morton Building on the Kansas State Fairgrounds Monday evening.
Candidates Rep. Michael Murphy, Bob Fee, Tyson Thrall, Rep. Joe Seiwert, Steve Schweizer and a representative for Kevin Schwertfeger spoke at the event. Candidates Kyler Sweely and Rep. Paul Waggoner were in attendance but were not allowed to speak.
Steffen acted as moderator and asked candidates questions based on the Bible and the Kansas Republican Party platform.
Steffen asked the candidates their stances on lobbyists, political action committees (PACs) and other special interest groups. Steffen asked Fee the question first.
“I would guess some people have some affiliation with an association at the place they work,” Fee said. “Having an association that can guide legislation can be very helpful for people who are not in that business. That doesn’t mean that’s how I make my decision, you make your decision by listening to all sides and people.”
Fee said Steffen received campaign funds from the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and other PACs when he originally ran and defeated Republican incumbent Sen. Ed Berger in 2020. According to campaign finance reports available from the Kansas Secretary of State, Steffen received $2,000 from the Kansas Chamber for the primary and general elections and $1,000 from the Wichita Regional Chamber in Oct. 2020.
“It’s a game we’re playing,” Fee said. “The Kansas Chamber does advocate for small and large businesses. I didn’t draw up the rules, I’m playing by them.”
Besides revenue from state and regional chambers, Steffen received an additional $13,000 from PACs, including $1,000 from Koch Industries, in 2020.
“It’s a cancerous environment,” Steffen said at the beginning of the forum. “It’s about power and greed. Many Republicans have become puppets to Super PACs and donors. Koch foundations are globalist and libertarian. We get elected officials who are confused.”
Murphy said he believes the power of political will should be with the people, not PACs.
“It requires a great discernment to go through that pressure,” Schweizer said.
Thrall said the question of PACs and special interest groups is about the integrity and character of the legislator, not the groups.
“It’s a matter of whether you’re going to be controlled or not,” Thrall said. “I’m not going to be controlled by lobbyists.”
On abortion, all candidates raised their hand when Steffen asked them if they believed life begins at conception.
“Abortion is death. Planned Parenthood has only about a third of the market of abortion. Planned Parenthood kills more unarmed black babies than lynchings ever did,” Thrall said. “We need to care for the baby, mom and dad. We need to be there for these people. Every baby has the right to life.”
Seiwert said he agreed with Thrall on the issue.
“It’s not about choosing life,” Schweizer said. “It’s about the sanctity of life. We need to be a voice for the ones who can’t speak for themselves.”
Fee said a recent court ruling by the Kansas Supreme Court striking down many abortion regulations as unconstitutional makes it more difficult to legislate on the issue.
“We have to do everything we can to stop abortionists,” Fee said. “We need to work to educate.”
Murphy said he believes life is a human right and that it applies to fetuses not yet born.
“We need to bring our nation and state back to God,” Murphy said. “Help the girls that do choose life. I’m 100% pro-life.”
Following the candidate's responses, Steffen criticized the Kansans For Life political committee because he believes they have softened their stance on the topic.
“We’ve seen Kansans For Life pivoting from 100% pro-life to minimizing abortions,” Steffen said. “90% of abortions are done before 12 weeks gestation. We can’t allow our elected officials to buy into a false narrative.”