Who are the candidates? These forums featured races in six separate House districts for the Nov. 8 general election.

• Of the 13 candidates invited by the Post to participate, four — all Republicans — chose not to participate, either declining to appear or never responding to the Post’s requests.

The first forum featured five candidates in three House districts and two who did not participate:

• District 17, Emily Carpenter, Republican, did not participate  
• District 17, Rep. Jo Ella Hoye, Democrat (incumbent)
• District 17, Michael Kerner, Libertarian
• District 18, Cathy Gordon, Republican
• District 18, Rep. Cindy Neighbor, Democrat (incumbent)
• District 22, Robert Colburn, Republican, did not participate  
• District 22, Rep. Lindsay Vaughn, Democrat (incumbent)

The second forum featured four candidates in three House districts and two who did not participate:

• District 30, Courtney Eiterich, Democrat
• District 30, Laura Williams, Republican, did not participate
• District 39, Rep. Owen Donohoe, Republican (incumbent)
• District 39, Vanessa Vaughn West, Democrat
• District 117, Courtney Tripp, Democrat
• District 117, Adam Turk, Republican, did not participate 

How to watch the forums: A video of each forum is embedded in links below.

• Immediately following the embedded videos are the questions each candidate answered during their respective forum.
• Timestamps are included in bold to help navigate to areas of interest.

First forum: Districts 17, 18 and 22

1. Candidates’ opening statements [4:20]
2. The issue our readers want to hear candidates’ positions on the most involves elections. As a member of the Kansas House, you could be asked to debate and potentially vote on laws that impact the accessibility and security of the ballot in the state. Both local and state election officials have repeatedly vouched for the validity of recent election results. Are you confident in the integrity of Kansas elections? Do you think the legislature should pass any election-related laws this coming session? [11:00]

   

3. In August, Kansas voters rejected the “Value Them Both” amendment that would have eliminated the right to an abortion from the state constitution. If you are elected, it’s likely that this issue will come before you next legislative session. Are you comfortable with the current state of abortion access in Kansas? Would you like to see more restrictions on abortion in the state? Would you like to see access to abortion expanded? [18:10]
4. Another issue that is likely to come up again next session is a so-called “parents bill of rights.” That measure was vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly and sustained by the House. The bill, among other things, aimed to give parents more power to review classroom materials, including lesson plans and books, and challenge things they found potentially objectionable. If elected, would you support this type of legislation if it were to come up again next session. Why or why not? [25:45]

   

5. Twice in the past two years, Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed Republican-backed legislation that would bar transgender athletes from participating in girls or women’s sports in high school or college. This issue may very well come up again, as it is proving to be a major talking point in the current governor’s contest. Would you vote for a ban on transgender athletes if elected? Why or why not? [33:03]
6. Kansas ended this past fiscal year earlier this summer with nearly $1 billion in the state’s rainy day fund and more than $430 million in surplus tax revenue. Given that financial position but also given the many concerns the Post hears from readers about inflation and the economy, what would you like to see the state do with these excess funds? [40:00]

   

7. Are there other issues or priorities that you hear from your voters or you think are important in our district that have not been touched upon tonight? [48:18]
8. Candidates’ closing statements [52:49]

Second forum: Districts 30, 39 and 117

1. Candidates’ opening statements [4:08]
2. The issue our readers want to hear candidates’ positions on the most involves elections. As a member of the Kansas House, you could be asked to debate and potentially vote on laws that impact the accessibility and security of the ballot in the state. Both local and state election officials have repeatedly vouched for the validity of recent election results. Are you confident in the integrity of Kansas elections? Do you think the legislature should pass any election-related laws this coming session? [9:12]

   

3. In August, Kansas voters rejected the “Value Them Both” amendment that would have eliminated the right to an abortion from the state constitution. If you are elected, it’s likely that this issue will come before you next legislative session. Are you comfortable with the current state of abortion access in Kansas? Would you like to see more restrictions on abortion in the state? Would you like to see access to abortion expanded? [16:33]
4. Another issue that is likely to come up again next session is a so-called “parents bill of rights.” That measure was vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly and sustained by the House. The bill, among other things, aimed to give parents more power to review classroom materials, including lesson plans and books, and challenge things they found potentially objectionable. If elected, would you support this type of legislation if it were to come up again next session. Why or why not? [25:00]

   

5. Twice in the past two years, Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed Republican-backed legislation that would bar transgender athletes from participating in girls or women’s sports in high school or college. This issue may very well come up again, as it is proving to be a major talking point in the current governor’s contest. Would you vote for a ban on transgender athletes if elected? Why or why not? [32:28]
6. Kansas ended this past fiscal year earlier this summer with nearly $1 billion in the state’s rainy day fund and more than $430 million in surplus tax revenue. Given that financial position but also given the many concerns the Post hears from readers about inflation and the economy, what would you like to see the state do with these excess funds? [39:23]

   

7. Are there other issues or priorities that you hear from your voters or you think are important in our district that have not been touched upon tonight? [46:28]
8. Candidates’ closing statements [52:53]