L&T endorsement in the Republican gubernatorial primary

With the Kansas primary less than four weeks away, the crowded field of candidates for governor have been criss-crossing the Sunflower State making their case for why voters should choose them.

We have seen several right here in Southwest Kansas and will no doubtedly see several more before Election Day.

But with advance voting starting, and with the field crowded, it’s time to weigh in on how Kansas can move forward.

There are several good choices in the Republican primary, but the candidate best positioned to guide Kansas forward is Sen. Ty Masterson.

The Kansas Senate has been very active under his leadership, and he inherited a very difficult job during a worldwide pandemic and the recovery that followed.

While Gov. Laura Kelly sought to consolidate power in the hands of the few and restrict the movement and freedoms of Kansans, Masterson fought for the people to make decisions for themselves and their families.

He guided the Kansas Senate to override a record number of vetoes issued by Gov. Kelly in her effort to cancel the will of the people.

In the past, the Kansas Senate has not had the ability to keep the Republican coalition together to accomplish such overrides, and major initiatives fell to the wayside because of the inability to keep the super majority together.

Not under Masterson.

He shepherded key legislation through the very diverse Republican-led Senate and delivered time and time again.

His efforts has led to Kansans being able to vote to restore their ability to vote for Kansas Supreme Court justices.

Under Masterson’s leadership, the Kansas Legislature stripped Kelly of advancing heavy spending budgets and instead put together budgets by legislators that not only exercised fiscal restraint but helped create a revenue surplus.

While Kelly toured Kansas taking credit for ending the state’s tax on groceries, she earlier vetoed the legislation and only supported it once Masterson had enough pressure to override any further political theatrics from Kelly’s office.

Gov. Kelly could only sign what Masterson sent to her desk, and when she fought against the overwhelming majority of Kansans, Masterson was there to deliver the votes for overrides.

Kansas now faces a very difficult future with ballooning property taxes and out-of-control spending attempts by some counties ignoring the will of their own citizens.

Masterson has a plan for property tax relief, economic expansion, and to make Kansas more competitive in the region.

While other strong Republicans are also seeking the nomination, none have the record Masterson has.

Twice Republicans have put up strong candidates only to fall short against the Democratic nominee who played the card that a Republican would cut taxes and hurt the Kansas economy.

Masterson already has a record of delivering on the Kansas economy despite having to fight uphill to do it.

But there is so much more that needs to be done, and only a seasoned legislator who knows the players and the challenges will be able to navigate Kansas to a successful four years that will lead to an expansion of economic opportunity and limits on the growth of government.

For those reasons, Republicans should support Masterson as the nominee for governor of Kansas in the upcoming primary.