Kansas Matters

Lisa Johnston, Democratic U.S. Senate Nominee, Endorsed by Mainstream Coalition

Overland Park, Kansas — August 18, 2010 — Dr. Lisa Johnston has earned the endorsement of the Mainstream Coalition, a highly respected nonpartisan political organization.

“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Mainstream Coalition” said Lisa Johnston. “I believe that Kansans want leaders who are reasonable, moderate, and dedicated to representing the interests of everyday people including personal and religious freedom, human rights, and strengthening public education. My opponent demonstrated in his primary election that he is not a moderate but an extreme conservative which is not what the majority of Kansans want in their leaders.”

On August 3rd, Lisa defeated four other Democratic primary candidates to become the Democratic nominee for United States Senate. Voters throughout the state responded positively to her four key campaign priorities: job creation in Kansas, promoting economic strength and fiscal accountability, prioritizing education, and leading with integrity. Learn more about Lisa by visiting her website.

Lisa hopes to bring a fresh perspective to the U.S. Senate. “The overwhelming majority of U.S. Senators have professional backgrounds in law, business or politics. For example, my opponent in this race has a background in law and has been as a U.S. Congressman for fourteen years. He is a true Washington insider which is not what people are looking for right now.” said Lisa “We need more diversity in our political leadership and people from all walks of life with professional experience that will strengthen the legislative process. Education is under-represented in Washington. We need more U.S. Senators who understand education from the inside. I feel my leadership experience, professional expertise in education, desire to represent the people, and commitment to serve with integrity will allow me to succeed as a U.S. Senator and fight for what is best for Kansans and all Americans.”

About the Mainstream Coalition:
The Mainstream Coalition is the Moderate Alliance of Informed Neighbors. Founded in 1993, the Mainstream coalition is dedicated to civil and human rights, public education, personal and religious freedom, and eliminating prejudice, discrimination, and hostility. The Mainstream coalition endorses candidates running for all levels of office regardless of political affiliation based on their stated positions on issues central to the mission of the organization.

by Kyle on 08/18/10

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.

by bvhuntley on 08/08/10

Mudslinging begins early in the Kansas U.S. Senate race thanks to Senator John Cornyn

Sadly but predictably, mudslinging in the Kansas U.S. Senate race began around 1 a.m. on Wednesday in Senator John Cornyn’s congratulatory statement to Congressman Jerry Moran.

Cornyn stated, “Democrat nominee Lisa Johnston has clearly demonstrated that she would simply serve as another rubberstamp for President Obama and Harry Reid’s out-of-control economic agenda if she makes it to Washington, perpetuating the President’s failed record of higher taxes, skyrocketing job loss, and bloated government bureaucracy.”

This statement has absolutely no basis in reality and it is clear from his statement that Senator Cornyn knows nothing about Dr. Lisa Johnston or her campaign priorities. One of her key priorities is integrity and leadership. Her campaign literature states “We need true representation for the people – not politicians who work for special interests. This requires a commitment to integrity and fighting for what is best for Kansans.”

by Kyle on 08/05/10

Lisa Johnston wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate

Dr. Lisa Johnston was very pleased to accept the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate late Tuesday evening. Johnston won over a field of four other Democratic candidates.

“I am honored by the support of our Democratic primary voters”, said Lisa. “I am looking forward to campaigning in the coming months and working hard to gain support from voters in the general election.”

“I think some pundits underestimate voters by assuming they will blindly vote based solely on party affiliation. I believe what Kansans care about most is not the letter beside your name but if you are the right person for the job.”

Lisa emphasized the contrasts between herself and the Republican nominee, Jerry Moran, stating, “I believe Kansans are hungry for a leader rather than a traditional career politician. My background in education is an important asset as education is a profession that is very underrepresented in our political leadership, especially in the United States Senate. I am dedicated to representing the best interests of the people of Kansas as I believe that this is one of the most important and sacred responsibilities of any elected official.”

Commenting on the upcoming general election campaign, Lisa stated, “Kansans deserve more than bickering and attack ads. The voters deserve an in-depth discussion of our challenges and potential solutions.”

Johnston will face Moran in the November 2nd general election.

Learn more about Lisa's positions on issues important to Kansans at LisaForKansas.com

by Kyle on 08/05/10

Lisa Johnston Continues to Maintain Sizable Lead in Recent U.S. Senate Primary Poll

In the August 2nd Survey USA poll conducted for KWCH in Wichita examining the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, Dr. Lisa Johnston continued to maintain the substantial lead she has held for all primary polls that have been conducted.  

In this latest poll, 29% of respondents indicated that they would vote for her today as compared with 21%, 12%, 7% and 6% for her opponents.  This was a sizable increase from the 23% of respondents indicating support for Dr. Johnston in the July 19th poll. Although there are still a number of undecided voters, it seems reasonable to expect that they will split among the five candidates in a proportional fashion.

These results bode well for Dr. Johnston and reveal the significant possibility that she will become the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate.

by Kyle on 08/03/10

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. . .

by bvhuntley on 08/03/10