Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
The top issue for many Post readers remains candidates’ stances on the 2020 election, which former President Trump continues to claim without evidence was stolen from him. That has played out in Johnson County with a years-long and ultimately fruitless investigation by the current sheriff into local election procedures. Many of our readers express concern that that investigation has sown distrust in local elections. Do you believe President Biden won the 2020 election fair and square? Do you trust and have confidence in county and state election systems? If elected, would you support legislation that, in any way, would modify or place new restrictions on voting in Kansas?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:
District 17
Michael Kerner (Libertarian)
I cannot specify any wholesale fraud in Kansas, there was fraud nationwide. Just think of the Hunter Biden laptop that was falsely labeled as Russian disinformation but was in fact legitimate. It contained evidence of criminal activity for both Hunter and his dad, but it was completely suppressed. That alone might have swung the election, without regard to other questionable activity that the Democrats took to “fortify” the election.
If that hadn’t happened, we would not have had 4 years of monstrous inflation, we would not be overwhelmed by Tens of million of illegal aliens nor would we be on the verge of WW3. I would eliminate “no excuse” mail in ballots. That is just inviting fraud.
Jo Ella Hoye (Democratic, incumbent)
The 2020 election was not stolen. President Biden won the 2020 election fair and square. I have confidence in our elections. I have not, and I will not, support legislation that makes it harder for Kansans to vote. It’s honestly hard for me to believe that we are still talking about this, but MAGA extremists just can’t let go.
