See the reader questions the Post is asking candidates ahead of the Aug. 4 primary

Earlier this month, we asked readers what you wanted to hear local candidates talk about as they vie for your vote ahead of the Aug. 4 primary.

We received more than 120 responses, and based on that input, we’ve developed questionnaires for candidates running in federal, state and local races, from Congress to the county commission chair.

We are distributing these questionnaires to the candidates this week. We’ll begin publishing their responses on the Post’s site on Monday, July 13, publishing a response to one question per day through July 17, right before early in-person voting begins in Johnson County on Saturday, July 18.

The Post is also hosting a live in-person forum for the three Johnson County chair candidates on Tuesday, June 30, to give voters another chance to see where candidates stand on the important issues impacting that race.

See the questions below that we’ll be asking primary candidates, broken down by contest. For contests that have both Democratic and Republican partisan primaries, we will be asking the same questions of all candidates, unless otherwise noted.

U.S. Senate

1. Cost of living. Readers’ loudest concern is everyday costs — groceries, housing, the squeeze on what one reader calls the “true middle class” of service workers, young adults and retirees. Several readers tied economic worries directly to federal policy, including the Trump administration’s tariffs, which they blame for farm bankruptcies and rising prices. Others still see cause to blame Biden-era policies for the lingering malaise. What would you do in the Senate to bring costs down for Kansans? What is your position on Trump’s tariffs and their effect on Kansas farmers and consumers?
2. Immigration. Immigration was the single most-raised topic this election cycle, and readers split sharply. Some want candidates to “fight against ICE” and the detention of immigrants without due process. Others list “border security” among their top priorities and ask whether candidates will cooperate with federal enforcement. What is your position on the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement? What does a well-functioning immigration system look like to you?
3. Elections. Among readers who raised elections as a concern, the mood ran strongly one way: distrust of President Trump’s continued false assertions that he won the 2020 election and fear that voting is being made harder to access. One reader wanted to know whether a candidate is “a 2020 election denier.” Another asked if you will “wimp out” when pressed on “who legitimately won the 2020 Presidential election.” Many tied their concerns over elections to ballot access, objecting to anything that would “make voting more difficult.” Do you accept that President Trump lost the 2020 election, and will you commit to accepting and certifying future results, including any your party loses? What, if anything, would you do to protect Kansans’ access to the ballot?
4. Social Security, Medicare and health care. Readers asked federal candidates pointedly about the looming shortfalls in Social Security and Medicare. One, in particular, cited projections that Social Security’s trust fund could be depleted by the early 2030s. Readers are also worried about the costs of health care. What is your concrete plan to keep Social Security and Medicare solvent and to also address health care affordability?
5. Accountability and independence. Readers want to know to whom candidates answer. They asked, “Are you beholden to Trump?”, “Who are your biggest donors?” and “Will you vote as the majority of your constituents wish or as Trump and/or Congressional leaders tell you to?” At the same time, several readers voiced the desire to see their senator hold public town halls. To whom do you owe your vote when your constituents and your party disagree? Will you commit to regular, in-person town halls in Kansas throughout your term?

U.S. House

1. Cost of living. Readers rank everyday costs, particularly the price of housing, as top concerns. This summer, Congress passed the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act that aims to lower costs by easing construction rules and barring large investors from buying up single-family homes. President Trump (at least initially) declined to sign it, tying it to a separate elections bill. How would you use the House’s budget power to lower costs for Kansas’ 3rd District? What is your view of the ROAD to Housing bill, and is there anything more Congress can do to make housing more affordable?
2. Immigration. Immigration was the single most-raised topic this election cycle, and readers split sharply. Some want candidates to “fight against ICE” and the detention of immigrants without due process. Others list “border security” among their top priorities and ask whether candidates will cooperate with federal enforcement. What is your position on the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement?
3. Social Security, Medicare and health care. Several readers directed questions about the future solvency of Social Security and Medicare to federal candidates, citing projections that Social Security’s trust fund could run short within a decade. What is your plan to protect Social Security and Medicare, and also to address health care affordability?
4. Federal pressure on local schools. Readers raised concerns about the federal government “coming down on our local school districts for DEI compliance” and worried about protecting district funding. As a House member, how would you protect federal education funding for local schools in Johnson County? What is your view of the federal government’s actions towards some local schools over their policies regarding transgender students?
5. Accountability. Readers want a representative who is accessible and independent, voicing the desire to see them holding town halls, answering constituents, and not simply following party leaders. How will you stay accessible to constituents who disagree with you? What is your plan for regularly meeting with constituents and hearing concerns from those who may disagree with you and your positions in Washington?

Governor

1. Property taxes and the cost of living. Property taxes are readers’ biggest concern, with many saying rising appraisals are pushing them out of their homes. In Topeka this year, lawmakers again failed to pass meaningful property tax relief. Gov. Kelly vetoed a local-spending cap measure, and a valuation-cap amendment died in the House. How would you break this stalemate as governor and deliver Kansans’ relief on the rising cost of living while protecting local services?
2. Public schools, special education and vouchers. Readers pressed hardest on fully funding public schools and special education in Kansas, with several noting that some Johnson County districts sued for their legally mandated share of special education dollars. Some readers also voiced concern about the impact of vouchers on public schools. How would you fund public schools and special education? Where do you stand on diverting public funds to go to vouchers?
3. Economic development and the Chiefs stadium deal. Readers want candidates pressed on the Chiefs stadium incentives — the cost to taxpayers, the promises about jobs created and the secrecy of negotiations conducted under non-disclosure agreements. Do you support using state incentives to draw the team and other big companies to Kansas? How would you weigh the taxpayer cost against the promised benefits, and what transparency would you require for such deals?
4. Data centers. Readers repeatedly raised questions about large data centers proposed across Johnson County and tied them to concerns about their impact on local water and energy use. Currently, Kansas offers large data center operators sales tax exemptions in exchange for commitments on water conservation and energy grid preservation. But some readers are calling for a statewide moratorium on data centers. What is your stance on a statewide moratorium? Do you support incentivizing data centers to come to Kansas?
5. Bipartisanship. Readers are tired of “party bickering,” and several asked candidates to commit to working cooperatively across the aisle. Kansans in recent years have elected governors of both parties, while Republicans have held legislative supermajorities.
   • (For Democratic candidates): With Republicans able to override your vetoes, what is your realistic strategy to actually pass your agenda — where would you compromise, and where would you hold firm?
   • (For Republican candidates): With your party in the majority, do you feel any obligation to work with Democratic legislators in the minority, and the Kansans they represent, or would you govern with your majority alone?

Secretary of State (Democratic only)

1. Your top 3 priorities for the office. Many readers don’t know much about what the Secretary of State does, beyond knowing they administer elections in the state. What will be your top three priorities if elected?
2. Impartial administration. This is a partisan race for a job that must be run fairly for all. How would you assure voters of both parties of your impartiality, including, if the August judicial selection amendment passes, administering new statewide judicial elections cleanly?
3. Voter access. Readers asked how candidates would “ensure mail-in voting remains an easy option for all voters” and protect ballot access. This comes as many of our readers have voiced concerns over Johnson County’s plan to cut back the number of early voting sites this year. A new state law also eliminates the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots, meaning they must arrive by Election Day to be counted. As the state’s chief election officer, what, if anything, would you do on advance and mail-in voting, registration and voter ID to keep voting accessible and secure?
4. Election security and misinformation. Readers worry about interference and ballot access. At the same time, it is the Secretary of State’s job to ensure election security and maintain the state’s voter rolls. What security, audit and voter-roll practices would you maintain or strengthen? How would you counter misinformation about elections?
5. The business side of the office. The Secretary of State is also Kansas’ business registrar. What, if anything, would you do to make starting and maintaining a small business here faster, cheaper and simpler?

Kansas State Board of Education (Republican only)

1. Funding public schools and special education. The clearest education-related message readers made with their questions was to fully fund public schools and special education. Several readers noted that districts were “underfunded for special needs” and forced into lawsuits to secure funding. As a state board member, how would you advocate for adequate funding, especially for special education? Do you agree with readers’ assessment that this is an urgent priority?
2. Vouchers and the public system. Readers worry that vouchers and tax credits will drain public dollars from public schools. Do you support or oppose diverting public funds to vouchers? How do you weigh family choice against the board’s duty to public school students?
3. DEI, “culture war” issues and outside pressure. Readers raised concerns both about federal pressure on districts over diversity initiatives and a desire to keep schools focused on core learning rather than “culture-war” fights. What guidance should the board give districts, and how should it respond when schools face outside political or legal pressure on these matters?
4. Gender, sports and inclusion. Readers seem to come at this issue from both directions. Some said they want “no boys in girls’ sports” and object to “transgender bathrooms” as a focus. Others want the board to more forcefully protect LGBTQ and other vulnerable students. What is the board’s proper role on these questions, and how would you handle them?
5. Standards and the board’s role. Beyond funding fights, the board helps set academic standards for Kansas schools. One reader, for instance, asked whether students should have to pass the U.S. citizenship test to graduate. What standards or graduation requirements would you prioritize, and how do you see the board’s core role when it comes to setting the standards Kansas students must meet?

Kansas House

1. Property taxes and state tax policy. Property taxes are readers’ top issue, and the Legislature plays a key role. This past session, a valuation-cap amendment cleared the Senate but failed in the House, and a local-spending cap was vetoed, so Kansans again got no meaningful tax relief from Topeka. What property tax relief would you vote for, if elected, and how would you avoid shifting costs onto other taxpayers or local services?
2. Public schools, special education and vouchers. Readers want to hear what statehouse candidates say about fully funding public schools and special education. Several readers also expressed worries that vouchers could harm Johnson County’s public schools. How would you advocate for funding public schools and special education? Where do you stand on school vouchers?
3. Housing affordability. Many readers noted that housing costs make buying a home in Johnson County increasingly out of reach for young families and make it harder for downsizing seniors to stay in Kansas. What state tools — housing finance, construction or zoning reform or property-tax mechanisms — would you support to make housing more attainable?
4. Data centers. Readers repeatedly raised questions about large data centers proposed across Johnson County and tied them to concerns about their impact on local water and energy use. Currently, Kansas offers large data center operators sales tax exemptions in exchange for commitments on water conservation and energy grid preservation. But some readers are calling for a statewide moratorium on data centers. What is your stance on a statewide moratorium? Do you support incentivizing data centers to come to Kansas?
5. Immigration and the state’s role. Immigration was the most-raised topic from readers this cycle, and they’re divided. Some asked whether candidates will “work with ICE” and back stronger enforcement. Others asked what lawmakers will do to “protect our immigrant neighbors from unlawful detainment.” The Legislature this year passed a law over the governor’s veto, allowing sheriffs to enter agreements with ICE without county commission approval. The same law created a 25-foot buffer around first responders, including ICE agents, that press and civil-liberties groups argue chills protest and reporting. Do you support such measures? More broadly, what role should the state play in federal immigration enforcement?

Johnson County chair

1. Property taxes and the county budget. Readers are frustrated over property taxes and aim much of their anger at the county. In recent years, appraisals have climbed by double digits, so while the county property tax rate holds steady, bills keep rising. Readers ask whether the county’s mix of residential, commercial and industrial taxation is fair and what, if any, taxes can be cut. With the state legislature again failing to act, what would you do on property taxes? What services would you cut if you advocate cutting taxes?
2. Housing affordability and development. Housing was one of readers’ most-raised topics again this year. They voiced concerns about the cost of buying and renting in Johnson County and called for more housing supply. What zoning, development or incentive policies would you support to expand attainable housing while respecting existing neighborhoods?
3. Data centers. Readers repeatedly raised the issue of large data centers proposed across Johnson County and tied them to concerns about the county’s water use. Several readers asked whether you’d support a moratorium on data centers. How should the commission handle data center development and the broader growth on the county’s edges, and how would you protect the county’s water supply? Do you support a countywide moratorium?
4. Immigration and the county’s role. Several readers asked county candidates directly whether local government and law enforcement in Johnson County should cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, including ICE and 287(g) agreements, which allow local authorities to partner with federal immigration agents on enforcement. What is your position on the county’s role in immigration enforcement?
5. Homelessness. After the county’s plan to convert a Lenexa hotel into a shelter was blocked two years ago when Lenexa denied a needed permit, some readers say homelessness still needs a countywide answer. How, if at all, do you want the county to address this issue now?