MD PoliBlog

Early line-up for Sedgwick County Commission

CANDIDATES LINE UP FOR SEDGWICK COUNTY COMMISSION: "

A year out from the primary election, candidates are starting to line up for three seats on the Sedgwick County Commission.

Voters will fill seats for districts 1, 4 and 5, held respectively by Dave Unruh, Kelly Parks and Gwen Welshimer.

Unruh, a Republican who has been on the board since 2002, filed in May for his seat. So far, no one has filed to run against him in District 1 in the northeast part of the county.

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(Via Kansas.com: Local Government.)

Derby mayor to run for Sedgwick County Commission

Derby's mayor filed Thursday to run for the District 5 seat held by Gwen Welshimer on the Sedgwick County commission. Dion Avello, a Republican who has been mayor for about six years, said he's ready for a new challenge.

Democrat Fiegen touts background in Iowa run against Grassley

Former state Sen. Tom Fiegen, a bankruptcy lawyer from Clarence, says his economic background and ability to raise money will make him the Democrats' best choice to run against Republican Sen. Charles Grassley next fall. Fiegen, 50, will face Bob Krause of Fairfield in the June 2010 primary. Fiegen traveled to Davenport, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines on Friday for campaign appearances.

CQ changes rating on Skelton race

CQ changes rating on Skelton race: "

Its way too early for Democratic panic, but Congressional Quarterly today announced that it was altering its rating of Missouris 4th District congressional race from 'safe Democratic' to 'Democratic favored.'

The reason? Veteran Congressman Ike Skelton may wind up facing a more promising GOP challenger than he has in years.

Two Republicans are gearing up: state Sen. Bill Stouffer and former state Rep. Vicky Hartzler.

From CQ:

'This rating change hardly means that Skelton is in dire trouble at this juncture. The low-key 77-year-old incumbent received 66 percent of the vote in his 2008 contest and 68 percent in 2006, typical showings for his long career.

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(Via KansasCity.com Prime Buzz - Today's political intelligence and insight.)

Omaha tax rejection brings warning

Tax rejection brings warning: "Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle's office is warning of severe budget cuts, including more pool and library closings, after the City Council rejected a proposed entertainment tax."

(Via Omaha World-Herald > Metro/Region.)

Culver: 2010 good for Iowa Democrats

Culver: 2010 good for Democrats: "Iowa Gov. Chet Culver is predicting a sweeping win for the Democratic party in next year's midterm elections, telling Illinois party organizers that Republicans offer 'a whole lot of nothing.'"

(Via Omaha World-Herald > Metro/Region.)

Missouri's revenue picture still gloomy

Missouri's revenue picture still gloomy: "We're hearing some mixed messages, on the national level, regarding the economy and whether things have started to turn the corner. But the person who watches Missouri's budget isn't sending any mixed messages, insisting things have not turned..."

(Via Missouri News.)

Tony's Kansas City - Next Kansas City Mayor = Deb Hermann?

Next Kansas City Mayor: Deb Hermann:

From what I'm hearing, another political heavyweight just entered the race for Mayor. But she's not admitting it yet.

Anyhoo . . .

City Council Lady Deb Hermann could be a serious contender simply because of her Northland roots.

Here are some more important reasons to giver her fledgling candidacy some serious consideration:

She impressed a great many people during the budget crisis. More than anybody else Hermann proved to be a leader in uniting and working with City Council folks to pass a workable budget that cut from every aspect of local government. Unfortunately, those cuts applied to cops as well.

I hear she's done pretty good work in the Gracemore area and she has a strong base of support among the 'working class' (forgive the term) white folks in that area.

Her mere entry into the Mayoral race will undercut Mayor Funky's last bastion of support and could take him out of the primary. Somebody might give her a bunch of cash simply to run as a decoy or sorts.

The Downside to her candidacy . . . These observations are mainly from TKC because most people talk about Hermann and genuinely like her.

She can't handle diversity issues . . . Simply from watching her it's clear that she gets hot under the collar whenever the topic of race emerges. Seriously, if she's thrown off her game by the likes of Sharon Sanders Brooks then she has some serious work to do when it comes to dealing with all of Kansas City's diverse communities. The race card is regularly played in Kansas City Politics (expertly by TKC) and anyone who can't skillfully maneuver this subject won't be long for at large politics and not simply hiding North of the River.<

DOES THE NORTHLAND OR THE EASTSIDE RUN KANSAS CITY POLITICS? There is no electoral evidence for either area of Kansas City claiming dominance. In fact, Northland tends to split between Democrat and Republican candidates despite the Nonpartisan pretense of Kansas City elections. Whereas Eastside is all Democrat and far more united. There's also more political organization (ACORN) on the Eastside. Still . . . Northland continues to grow faster than any other community in Kansas City . . . But those numbers include an increasing number of people of color. So the jury is still out but these two population centers of Kansas City have continued to slug it out during close elections for the past 20 years.

In the final analysis . . . I should run for Mayor because everybody else is . . . So far here's just a glimpse and Kansas City's Mayoral Field:

Sly James - Who has the most cash.
Mike Burke - Who has the most connections.
Henry Kline - Owner of the nicest pleated pants of Mayoral Candidates.
Al Riederer - No, you're not sure if he's out yet.
Charlie Wheeler - No kidding.
Kay Barnes - You read it here first . . . Yes, this is Exclusive too.
Janice Ellis - Last time I looked on Broadway she was still in
Stan Glazer - Yep, all his fans want him back and he might be in good enough shape to get it done . . . Especially if he's standing next to Charlie Wheeler.
Ed Ford - Let him deny, he's got too many important fans to refuse.
Mark Funkhouser - In this field the Gloria Squitiro liability may be easy to overcome.

(Via Tony's Kansas City.)

Assistant city manager takes Illinois job

Assistant city manager takes Illinois job:

Assistant City Manager Scott Moore, known as an easygoing and dependable task master in Wichita City Hall, has accepted the job as city manager of Peoria, Ill..

Moore will start his new job in the central Illinois city of 114,000 people sometime in late September, according to a story in the Peoria Journal Star.

(Via Kansas.com: Local Government.)

OP chamber rates JoCo lawmakers on 2009 session

OP chamber rates JoCo lawmakers on 2009 session:

On the agenda for this year’s Kansas Legislature were bills limiting the ability of a city to annex large areas of rural land_ aka Overland Park’s grab of 8.5 square miles last year.

One version passed the Senate and House but was vetoed by Gov. Mark Parkinson. It would have prohibited cities from absorbing tracts of more than 65 acres unless the landowners agree.

The city of Overland Park was opposed to the bill as well as the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce. The chamber recently released its report on how area legislators voted on this bill and others and whether they supported or opposed the chambers position.

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(Via KansasCity.com Prime Buzz - Today's political intelligence and insight.)