Kansas Democratic Party - Kansas Matters Blog

Thanks For Your Support

Charles Schollenberger and his campaign staff wish to thank many Kansans around the state for their efforts in our behalf. While not ultimately successful in the recent U.S. Senate primary, we are proud that we were the only campaign that took a serious position on many of the major issues facing the country while at the same time proposing solutions.

We started out campaigning for both the health insurance and the financial reform bills until they both passed. We ran a campaign on many other issues, as well,  but we are particularly pleased  at what small part our efforts might have had in the passage of these two landmark pieces of legislation.

We can also be proud that in our 15-month campaign, we came out of nowhere to win the endorsements of four daily newspapers around the state, including a major metropolitan newspaper.

First and foremost, however, we’re proud of the fine young people who volunteered their time and talents to our efforts in their first debut into elective politics.

What the Press is saying about Schollenberger for U.S. Senate

Kansas City Star Editorial - June 30, 2010
"Give Schollenberger credit for addressing one of the most important issues facing Kansans in the coming years - how to boost fortunes in the western half of the state... Schollenberger's playbook: Get this campaign back on issues that affect Kansas and Kansans"

Kansas U.S. Senate candidate Charles Schollenberger is now supporting the creation of a Great Plains National Park... True, Schollenberger is a Democrat, running not only in GOP-friendly Kansas, but also in a difficult climate for his party. Still, he's got this one right and for the right reasons. Schollenberger has pledged to support the rather grand idea for a new national park in western Kansas because it both preserves the native Kansas prairie and "the tourism generated by the park could also become a potential savior to the dwindling local economies."
Give Schollenberger credit for addressing one of the most important issues facing Kansans in the coming years - how to boost fortunes in the western half of the state...

Kansas City Star editorial - July 18, 2010
"Charles Schollenberger is the the best choice is a novice field"

In the Democratic primary, Charles Schollenberger is the best choice in a novice field. The longtime political activist and former Congressional staffer has been around the game since the 1970s, which helps to compensate for his lack of experience in actually holding an office.
Schollenberger believes in cutting the federal budget by limiting earmarks and pruning defense spending. He's a strong advocate of green job potential for Kansans through wind energy. . .

New Appeal to Reason: Who I am voting for in the August Kansas Primary

By Stuart Elliott
Taken from: http://newappeal.blogspot.com/2010/07/who-i-am-voting-for-in-august-kansas.html

"I don't ever remember so many choices in the Kansas Democratic primary as we have this year.  There has been a lot more heat and dollars spent on the GOP side, so the information to make an informed decision has been hard to come by. For what it is worth, here are my recommendations.

U.S. Senate: CHARLES SCHOLLENBERGER is the candidate who has taken the most progressive positions on the issues. Schollenberger, so far as I can determine, is the only candidate to openly support unions and the Employee Free Choice Act.

On the economy, Schollenberger has articulated a strong, progressive program in contrast to Lisa Johnson who displays the rhetoric of the right. She writes about the "skyrocketing federal deficit" and promotes the misleading and dangerous notion that the federal government, instead of acting to stabilize the economy as a whole, should emulate the mythical household. David Haley in the Wichita Eagle Candidate survey also pushed the GOP line about balanced budgets and even supporting the line-item veto.

Winfield Daily Courier Endorses Schollenberger

Winfield Daily Courier editorial - July 27, 2010

Our preference in the Republican primary race for the U.S. Senate is Rep. Jerry Moran. Neither he nor our own Rep. Todd Tiahrt has distinguished himself in this campaign.

But Moran's brand of conservatism is a bit more moderate, more balanced, than Tiahrt's.

In the Democratic race, Charles Schollenberger stands out. He knows the issues and is an experienced political hand.

Salina Journal Endorses Schollenberger

Salina Journal Editorial - July 20, 2010

For the Republican Party

U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran is the Journal’s hands-down favorite in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sam Brownback. . .

Moran’s only meaningful competition comes from Rep. Todd Tiahrt, Wichita, who has alienated Kansans with sleazy mudslinging and distortions of Moran’s voting record. Others in the GOP primary include Tom Little, of Mound City, and Robert Londerholm, of Overland Park. . .

There is very little difference between Moran and Tiahrt in their political positions. Both have sprinted to the right to attract conservatives, typically the most active voting block in Kansas. The notion of “compassionate conservatism” is nowhere to be found in their rhetoric. . .

For the Democratic Party

Democrats have a slim chance of defeating the Republican candidate in the fall general election, yet the primary still attracted a slew of candidates vying to represent their party.

Those running include: Robert Conroy, of Shawnee; David Haley, of Kansas City; Lisa Johnston, of Overland Park; Charles Schollenberger, of Prairie Village; and Patrick Wiesner, of Lawrence.

Schollenberger is the best pick of the bunch. He has worked the hardest of any other candidate, like when he toured the state to hear directly from Kansans. He is bright and well-spoken, and Democrats need someone of his caliber for the fall campaign.
 

Schollenberger Endorsed by Hutchinson News

Hutchinson News editorial - July 19, 2010

The race to succeed U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas has been one of the ugliest in recent memory. So for voters who already may be sickened by the mudslinging rhetoric of congressmen Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt, it is nearly time to make a choice in the Republican primary Aug. 3. . .

Our choice is Moran, who has a stellar record of being a constituent-focused representative for the sprawling Big First District and hopefully will retain some sanity if he emerges the winner. . .

Meanwhile, over on the Democrat side, few voters may know that five candidates are vying for the nomination. None has the credentials of Moran or Tiahrt, but Charles Schollenberger has been running hard and would be a good pick for Democrats interested in a political outsider. . .