Latest news with #ChrisMann
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kansas governor candidate Cindy Holscher objects to alleged pressure campaign by Kelly's staff
Sen. Cindy Holscher, a Johnson County Democrat seeking the party's nomination for governor in 2026, said staff in the administration of Gov. Laura Kelly attempted to pressure Democratic lawmakers into idling their campaigns for governor so a preferred candidate could prevail. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — State Sen. Cindy Holscher expressed frustration Friday with behind-the-scene involvement of Gov. Laura Kelly's staff in attempting to influence who launched a campaign for the Kansas Democratic Party's nomination for governor in 2026. Holscher, who announced her bid for governor in June, said she was among three Democrats in the Kansas Senate told by the Kelly administration to stand aside so Democratic primary voters would be more likely to nominate Lawrence attorney Chris Mann in the race to determine who would be the party's choice to replace the term-limited Kelly. Holscher said she as well as Sens. Dinah Sykes and Ethan Corson, also of Johnson County, were initially discouraged from impeding Mann's path in the August 2026 primary for governor. 'All three of us were told basically 'do not run' because Chris Mann's the guy,' Holscher said. 'Why are insiders picking candidates? We're being bullied, essentially.' After the dust cleared at the end of July, Mann had chosen to launch another campaign for attorney general after narrowly losing to Republican Kris Kobach in 2022. Corson and Holscher had declared their campaigns for governor. Kelly threw her support to Corson. Lt. Gov. David Toland, at one point the presumed frontrunner in a Democratic gubernatorial race, said he wouldn't run. Sykes remained on the sideline. Will Lawrence, Kelly's chief of staff, said the two-term governor met with potential Democratic candidates for governor and offered advice on how each could approach the 2026 election cycle. 'No one told them, 'You can't run.' They can make their own decisions,' Lawrence said. 'There's a lot of give and take in those conversations. It was never forceful. Cindy was the one that kept coming to the governor trying to get her support. The governor kept saying, 'I'm not going to support you in the governor's race if that's what you choose to do.' The governor was very clear about that.' Lawrence said Kelly would prefer Democrats didn't set the stage for grueling primary battles in statewide races. In an interview, Holscher said it was disappointing Lawrence had participated in an effort to essentially anoint a Democratic nominee for governor. Holscher also asserted Lawrence attempted to leverage future political support from the governor to secure Holscher's vote for a bill altering regulation of child care facilities and exemptions to vaccination mandates. Holscher said it was concerning that Lawrence wielded financial influence over Democratic campaigns by controlling the governor's Middle of the Road political action committee. 'This whole situation is what frustrates Democrats,' Holscher said. She said Democrats suffered under Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate. In the Senate, the GOP edge stands at 31-9 — the same mix as in 2018. The House GOP majority is 88-37, representing the addition of three Republican representatives since 2018. 'If you take a look, you know, we've had the governor's office the past seven years. We haven't advanced in terms of growing our numbers. We've gone backward,' she said. Lawrence, who has held a leadership role with the governor's $2.3 million PAC, made a push during the 2024 elections to alter the balance of power in the Legislature. The Republican supermajority was targeted by Democrats because the GOP's numerical advantage made it easier to override Kelly's vetoes. Outcome of the 2024 election was a disappointment for Democrats up and down the ballot, Lawrence said. Holscher notified Lawrence in mid-June about her views on the Kelly administration's involvement in the development of Democratic campaigns for governor. Holscher sent a text to Lawrence, obtained by Kansas Reflector, that included a warning that Holscher would 'swiftly hand over all the proof I have to the press' of the governor's intervention in Democratic campaigns. 'I am so done with the games coming from you and the governor's office,' Holscher's message to Lawrence said. 'I want to be very clear about something.' Holscher vowed she would go to the media if anyone affiliated with the Kelly administration 'says anything negative about me or my candidacy,' attempted to interfere with Holscher's hiring of campaign staff or in signing up volunteers, 'does so much as attempt to put a thumb on the scale in any way to interfere with this election' or made use of the Democratic Governors Association, which is led by Kelly, to 'impede or negatively influence' her Democratic primary. In the interview, Lawrence said language used by Holscher in the text could be interpreted as an attempt to intentionally gain something of value from Lawrence or Kelly against their will. 'It would be worthwhile for Cindy to take a look at the statute and reassess how she communicates with people,' Lawrence said. 'Extremely disappointing behavior. Questionable behavior. Not someone who has gubernatorial temperament, who has to compromise and negotiate on things every day in this building.' In a July social media post after Kelly embraced Corson's candidacy for governor, Holscher offered an explanation as to why Kelly chose to support Corson. Holscher wrote pressure had been applied by Lawrence regarding an upcoming vote during the 2025 session on House Bill 2045. It rolled back child care safety standards and tinkered with exemptions to vaccination mandates. Holscher voted against the bill, which passed the House and Senate with bipartisan votes and was signed into law by Kelly. 'I had received tons of emails from constituents adamantly opposed to the bill,' Holscher's post said. 'The gov and Will (her chief of staff), told me that if I didn't support it, the governor's office wouldn't be supportive of me in future races. I wasn't going to go against my district and the people I represent, so I voted 'no.' So, it looks like they are holding true to that threat.' Lawrence said he didn't agree with Holscher's analysis of meetings the senator had with the governor about the legislation. 'That vote has nothing to do with the gubernatorial election,' Lawrence said. Holscher, elected to the House in 2016 and to the Senate in 2020, has been endorsed by former Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers. He served in Kelly's first term before appointed to the job of Kansas state treasurer in 2021. Corson, who entered the Senate in 2021, said in an interview at the Capitol that he appreciated Kelly's expression of support. It was helpful to voters because Kansans wanted the kind of bipartisan, moderate leadership delivered by Kelly since sworn into office in 2019, Corson said. He said he hadn't taken notice of social media chatter about Holscher's claims of how the Kelly administration handled legislators who declined to fall into line with the governor. 'I just haven't seen any of that,' Corson said. 'I haven't paid attention to it. We've been out there talking to folks and trying to meet people in real life.' Candidates lined up to take part in the Kansas Republican Party's campaign for governor included Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, Senate President Ty Masterson, Secretary of State Scott Schwab and former Gov. Jeff Colyer.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kansas AG Kris Kobach running for reelection, touting low crime and Biden lawsuits
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is running for reelection with a campaign message focused on lowered crime rates, lawsuits against former President Joe Biden's administration and an immigration enforcement partnership with President Donald Trump's administration. While he has not formally announced a reelection campaign, Kobach's campaign spokesperson, Danedri Herbert, confirmed to The Capital-Journal on July 30 that he is running for reelection. The same day, Democrat Chris Mann announced he was running for attorney general. That could set up a rematch of the 2022 election, which was the tightest race of any statewide office. Kobach got 50.8% of the vote and Mann got 49.2%, or a separation of nearly 16,000 votes. Kobach lives in Douglas County with his wife, and they have five daughters. He grew up in Topeka before attending Harvard University, Oxford University and Yale Law School. Kris Kobach statement hits on crime rate, Biden lawsuits, immigration In response to Mann's announcement, Kobach's campaign touted accomplishments from his first term. "Kris Kobach has delivered," Herbert said in a statement. "Under Kris Kobach's leadership, the Kansas crime rate has dropped to the lowest point in 20 years. As a result, Kansans are safer than they have ever been in the last 20 years." Kobach's campaign credited "his law-and order approach" and said "Kansas crime rates dropped far more than the rest of the nation." Kansas Bureau of Investigation crime statistics include a total crime index, which is a count of both violent and property crimes. The 2024 index was the lowest of any year since at least 2003, which is the furthest back the KBI's online reports go. The total crime index is a stronger indicator of property crime, which far outnumbers the amount of violent crime in the state. The violent crime rate has also declined during Kobach's term after peaking in 2020. More: Kansas's crime rate dropped in 2024, but Shawnee County exceeds state averages In the 2022 election, Kobach campaigned on suing Biden and promised to set up a division dedicated to suing the Democratic president. Kobach, who is now the chair of the Republican Attorneys General Association, led or joined a multitude of lawsuits against the federal government. "As Kansas Attorney General, Kobach sued the Biden administration dozens of times," his campaign's news release said. "He specifically led 12 lawsuits to stop the Biden administration from breaking the law." The campaign touted "victories in court that Kobach won" against Biden. The cases cited include one with a nationwide injunction from a federal judge in Kansas blocking student loan forgiveness, a Kobach-led case in South Dakota with a 19-state injunction on Obamacare for immigrants in the country illegally and a Kansas judge's injunction with nationwide implications barring Title IX sex discrimination protections at schools and universities from being extended to transgender people. Now with Trump in office, Kobach is working with the president's administration on immigration enforcement using a 287(g) agreement. Kobach's campaign said "Kansans would not be as safe if Chris Mann were attorney general right now," in part because Mann "would not have signed a 287(g) agreement." Kobach's campaign also touted elimination of the fee for concealed carry permits, because "no one should have to pay the state to exercise a constitutional right." More: From suing Biden to working with Trump, Kobach and Republican AGs have new role Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@ Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kris Kobach running for reelection as Kansas attorney general in 2026
1News
16-06-2025
- 1News
Teen clocked driving at 'eye-watering' speed on Auckland motorway
A teenager's vehicle has been impounded and his license suspended after he was allegedly clocked driving at nearly twice the speed limit on an Auckland motorway. A motorway patrol unit on Auckland's Southern Motorway spotted the vehicle at around 11pm on Sunday. 'Another unit picked up this vehicle on the motorway as it neared the Mt Wellington off-ramp,' Sergeant Chris Mann said. 'It locked the vehicle at an eye-watering speed – nearly twice the speed limit.' Police attempted to stop the vehicle near the off-ramp, but it sped away. ADVERTISEMENT The Eagle helicopter was deployed and tracked the vehicle, which was spiked — eventually parking on a street in Point England. The vehicle's registered owner, an 18-year-old man, will appear in court. His vehicle was also impounded, and he was suspended from driving for 28 days. Mann said it was lucky nobody had gotten hurt. 'There is no excuse for driving at this speed and it's fortunate our staff weren't knocking on someone's door last night to advise of a fatality.'
Press and Journal
23-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
In pictures: City centre businesses don Aberdeen colours ahead of Scottish Cup final
The Granite City has been decked out in red and white ahead of Aberdeen's Scottish Cup final against Celtic. Businesses in the city centre are flying flags and modelling strips to show support for the Dons. Fans will be out in their thousands at Hampden this weekend, so prominent shops, barbers and pubs are making sure the occasion is also marked at home. Hopefully, the whole city will be a sea of red and white post-match with a victory parade for the Dons. Here are just some of the businesses donning red and white: Chris Mann, who works at Attic Clothing on Union Street, said: 'There's definitely been a buzz with customers. 'We got the Willie Miller tops back in stock, which have been so popular. 'I'm chuffed with how our display is looking, too. 'A lot of the shirts featured are from my personal collection, and we even managed to get hold of a load of old programmes too. 'It's great to just get involved with something like this, and we'll be cheering on the Dons all the way.' Chantal Necchi, from Gios at La Lombarda, said: 'My kids are going along to the final, so I wanted to get involved in some way. 'I know someone at Pittodrie, and they helped us out with the flags and I'm really happy with how it turned out. 'If we get a victory parade, the bus should head past us which will be really special.' Conor Wallace from Signature menswear said: 'People have been stopping by, taking photos in the window, which has been great. 'The sheep have been kept well inflated, everyone has been wanting a picture. 'We've had such a good response. We didn't have a lot of red items but we gambled and asked our suppliers to get some more in. 'They've proved really popular and we have limited sizes remaining.' Cammy Morrison from Mr Dun Barbers said: 'I've definitely had more football chat than normal this last week, which is difficult to do! 'It seems whether people are into football or not, they are speaking about the game and the vibe it brings to the city in the build-up. 'Working right in the city centre, we can really see that. 'The people I've spoken to all seem keen to make a day of it regardless of the result, so they have been in getting their fresh haircuts in preparation. 'I've supported the dons my entire life, so when I saw the club teaming up with the city to paint the town red, I was all over the idea, any excuse to wear a Dons top to work. 'What will be will be on Saturday, but if you can't be optimistic going down to see your team in a final, what's the point in loving football? 'Anything can happen.'
