(Kansas) Candidates explain why they switched (to Dem) [View All]

[kskiska]

Ending lifelong allegiances to the Republican Party in Kansas was no simple matter.

“I didn’t sleep well that night,” said Kent Goyen of Pratt, who’s running for the 114th District seat.

But each of the party jumpers had a common tonic — visits with Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, either in person or by telephone.

(snip)

Steve Lukert, Sabetha
Age: 58
Occupation: Farmer, retired government teacher

Running for: 62nd District House seat

Switched parties because: Two reasons. He ran for the state Senate two years ago in the GOP primary and lost, but said he was disillusioned by the tactics used to defeat him. “I was put off by the meanness of the campaign within the Republican Party and the intentional misrepresentations,” Lukert said.

more…
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/14991794.htm