You would think that when a candidate for office is arrested for election fraud for filing to run in a district he didn't live in--while simultaneously running for another office in an entirely different district--that the candidate in question would be kicked off the ballot. You would think that, but in Kris Kobach's Kansas it's apparently okay to commit election fraud so long as you're a Republican.
The Kansas City Star has the details. Republican Adam Thomas filed to run for the 26th Kansas House District in Olathe (a suburb of Kansas City) even though he didn't live in the district. It appears Mr. Thomas enjoys being on the ballot, because he also filed to run for a Republican Precinct Committeeman position elsewhere in Johnson County. His shenanigans were so transparent that he was arrested and charged with election fraud by the Johnson County Sheriff and District Attorney; both Republicans.
The question of whether Thomas could remain on the ballot seemed open and shut, but the State Elections Panel charged with making that decision is made up of three Republicans and chaired by Kobach loyalist, Eric Rucker. While Kobach and his GOP allies worry a lot about non-Republicans (especially people of color and young people) voting at all, they weren't bothered by a Republican committing election fraud. The panel decided that Thomas was qualified to run for the 26th District house seat despite all the facts to the contrary.
Of course, the Republican elections panel was probably more concerned with the prospect of Democrat Deann Mitchell winning Kansas' 26th District than it was with following the law. Fortunately, Mitchell has been campaigning hard, and she has the full support of the Johnson County and Kansas Democratic Party. The Kansas Democratic Party is pitching in and helping raise money for Deann's legal effort to enforce Kansas' laws. Deann's future colleague in the Kansas House, Vic Miller of Topeka, is representing her as she appeals the illegal decision of the election board.
Beyond the legal case is an even bigger issue. Kris Kobach and the Kansas GOP claim to be the protectors of free and fair elections that faithfully follow the letter of the law, but once again their hypocrisy is revealed when the person breaking the law is a Republican. Deann Mitchell, the Kansas Democratic Party, and the Johnson County Democratic Party are working to hold Kris Kobach and his corrupt State Elections Panel accountable.
This bald-faced corruption of our democratic institutions is why we need to elect honest, dedicated public servants to lead our State government. So, we urge everyone in our community to rally behind Ms. Mitchell's campaign. You can learn more about volunteering and donating by visiting her website: www.deannmitchell4kansas.com. Likewise, Brian A. (BAM) McClendon is the only candidate for Secretary of State who can restore the public trust in the Kansas Secretary of State’s office. BAM is a generational candidate for Kansas and is uniquely qualified through his professional success and personal integrity to restore dignity to our State’s reputation on the national stage. You can support BAM by volunteering or donating at www.bam4kansas.com.