Audio Posted from Gubernatorial Debate

You can listen to the audio from Thursday’s Kansas gubernatorial debate in Garden City.   The Southwest Kansas Chambers of Commerce hosted the debate, moderated by Marieta Hauser, director of the Grant County Chamber of Commerce.  Rozelle Webb of the Liberal Chamber participated behind the scenes in this event, along with colleagues from other area Chambers of Commerce.

Five gubernatorial candidates took the stage, and according to random drawing they made opening statements in the following sequence:

Independent candidate Greg Orman;

Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach;

Democratic Senator Laura Kelly;

Libertarian candidate Jeff Caldwell;

Independent candidate Rick Kloos.

The question and answer portion of the event included seven questions.  The sequence of speaking order rotated from one question to the next.

An audio problem from the venue persisted through the beginning of question two; then the problem got resolved with clear audio for the remainder of the event.

Question one:  “… support the legalization of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes in the state of Kansas?  Why or why not?”

Sequence:  Orman; Kobach; Kloos; Caldwell; Kelly.

Question two:  “What would be your order of importance in the following Kansas challenges:  a balanced budget; education; economic growth; and transportation?”

Sequence:  Kobach; Kloos; Caldwell; Kelly; Orman.

Question three:  “Do you believe the state of Kansas adequately funds K-12 education?  Please explain your answer.”

Sequence:  Kloos; Caldwell; Kelly; Orman; Kobach.

Question four:  “What is your position on Medicaid expansion?”

Sequence:  Caldwell; Kelly; Orman; Kobach; Kloos.

Question five:  Immigrant labor is a vital part of the western Kansas economy.  As governor, what can you do at the state or federal level to help solve the immigration issue?”

Sequence:  Kelly; Orman; Kobach; Kloos; Caldwell.

Question six:  “Southwest Kansas is the only quadrant in the state without a four year university.  What are your plans as governor to fill this critical need for post-secondary education in this region?”

Sequence:  Orman; Kobach; Kloos; Caldwell; Kelly.

Question seven:  “During the last legislative session the legislature authorized two task forces:  one for transportation, and another for expansion of broadband in rural Kansas.  If you were a member of these task forces, what would be your input for these two subjects, especially as it relates to western Kansas?”

Sequence:  Kobach; Kloos; Caldwell; Kelly; Orman.

The question and answer portion of the event concluded, and the candidates gave their closing remarks in the following sequence:

Independent candidate Rick Kloos;

Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach;

Independent candidate Greg Orman;

Democratic Senator Laura Kelly;

Libertarian candidate Jeff Caldwell.