Sunflower State News

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Kansas Political Action Committee has announced its endorsement of 120 candidates for the Kansas Legislature, including 32 candidates for the Senate and 88 for the House. According to NFIB State Director Dan Murray, "Locally-owned businesses are the foundation of our state’s economy, creating good-paying jobs and thriving communities."

Murray highlighted a recent NFIB survey that identified rising costs as a significant challenge for small business owners. "Main Street Kansans need strong advocates in Topeka. These candidates are committed to pursuing policy solutions that make it easier to do business in our state. On behalf of our small business owner members, I’m proud to announce these endorsements for the 2024 general election and ask all Kansans to support these pro-small business candidates," he said.

Early voting for the general election starts on October 16, with Election Day set for November 5. Voter registration details and other information can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

The NFIB Kansas PAC emphasizes that its endorsement carries weight, as small business owners and their employees are known to vote in large numbers and encourage others to vote. The endorsement decision is based on the candidates' positions and records on key small-business issues.

Below is the list of the endorsed candidates:

In the Senate, they are: Craig Bowser, Rick Kloos, Jeff Klemp, Dave Dannov, Beverly Gossage, Mike Thompson, Kellie Warren, Caryn Tyson, Tim Shallenburger, Michael A. Fagg, Virgil Peck, Ty Masterson, Mike Argabright, Kenny Titus, Brenda S. Dietrich, Brad Starnes, Adam Thomas, J.R. Claeys, Chase Blasi, Joe Claeys, Mike Petersen, Renee Erickson, Stephen Owens, Larry W Alley, Tory Marie Blew, Michael Murphy, TJ Rose, Elaine S. Bowers, Douglas Shane, Ronald Ryckman, William Clifford, and Richard (Rick) Billinger.

For the House, the endorsed candidates include: Kenneth (Ken) Collins, Chuck Smith, Carrie Barth, Samantha M. Poetter Parshall, Dan Goddard, Chris Croft, Fred Gardner, Ron Bryce, Doug Blex, Duane Droge, Charlotte Esau, Lauren N. Bohi, Chip VanHouden, Sean E. Tarwater Sr., Carl Turner, Laura Williams, Mike Thompson, Timothy H. Johnson, Angela Stiens, David Buehler, Pat Proctor, Lance W. Neelly, Bill Sutton, Ronald B. Ellis, Kurtis Ruf, Kyle McNorton, Jesse Borjon, Ken Corbet, Pennie Boyer-Kloos, Rebecca Schmoe, Mark Schreiber, Francis Awerkamp, Sean M. Willcott, Allen B. Reavis, Lewis (Bill) Bloom, Shawn Chauncey, Angel Roeser, Nathan (Nate) Butler, Clarke Sanders, Scott Hill, Steven K. Howe, Avery Anderson, Richard Wilborn, Mike King, Will Carpenter, Brad Barrett, Kristey S. Williams, Robyn R. Essex, Webster T. Roth, Bill Rhiley, Blake Carpenter, Leah Howell, Henry Helgerson, Patrick A. Penn, Susan Oliver Estes, Sandy Pickert, Steve Huebert, Emil Bergquist, Brian Bergkamp, Leo Delperdang, Tom Kessler, Nick Hoheisel, Cyndi Howerton, Susan Humphries, Daniel Hawkins, Joe Seiwert, Kyler Sweely, Paul Waggoner, Jill Ann Ward, Lisa M. Moser, Dawn Wolf, Troy L. Waymaster, Ken Rahjes, Barb Wasinger, Sherri Brantley, Brett Fairchild, Kevin D. Schwertfeger, Gary White, Kyle D. Hoffman, Adam Turk, Jim Minnix, Jason W. Goetz, Adam Smith, John Resman, Lon E. Pishny, Bob Lewis, Martin (Marty) Long, and Shannon Francis.