[Part 2] How 50 voters brought state-owned casinos to Kansas

In the first part of our multiple part series, we saw how a change of just 73 votes across three House Districts could have stopped state owned casinos (SB 66.) SB 66 could have also been stopped in the Senate however. With even less finesse of history, we can see how 50 voters in Wabaunsee and Shawnee counties could have prevented bad legislation in the Senate when the House had failed.

How 50 voters brought state-owned casinos to Kansas

With just a change of 3 votes in the House, SB 66 could have been stopped. With a little judicious rewriting of history, we can get to our 3 vote change by simply changing the minds of 73 voters in 3 House Districts across Kansas. But was there an easier way to stop SB 66?

In fact, there was. SB 66 after getting approval in the House 64-58 was sent back to the Senate where it originated. SB 66 was not originally written as a state-owned gambling bill. It was gutted on the floor of the House and replaced with language written by gambling lobbyists. Because the original SB 66 had been changed, it had to be re-approved by the Senate. The major changes ensured that the vote would not mimic the original 36-4 passage.

SB 66 passed the Senate after over 12 hours of debate and many procedural maneuvers by Senate conservatives. But the lines had clearly been drawn and lobbyists on the governor’s payroll were making every deal they could and twisting any arm they could get a hold of. Senate opposition was fighting an uphill battle.

The final vote came down 21-19, just one changed vote short of a tie at 20-20 and defeat of the measure.

What if one of those yea Senators had lost election in 2004? What if their opponent had won and stuck to their guns?

The easiest way to get to our 20-20 tie is to look at Senate District 18 in the 2004 General Election. Democrat Laura Kelly defeated Republican Dave Jackson by only 98 votes. The victory ensured a 10th Democrat in the Senate, a close friend of Gov. Sebelius and the final vote needed for the state of Kansas to be the proud new owner of destination resort casinos.

What if 50 of those 98 voters had changed their minds? What if just 50 voters in northern Shawnee County or Wabaunsee County had changed their minds and went with fiscal conservative Dave Jackson instead of pro abortion Laura Kelly? Well, our state would be a very different place, that’s for sure.

What was the difference in the race? What was it that got 98 more people to vote for Kelly versus Jackson?

More than likely it was name recognition. Even though Jackson was a one term incumbent, Kelly was able to afford television commercials.

An October 11, 2004 Capital-Journal article noted before the general election, “Kelly won’t say whether she is planning campaign commercials leading up to the Nov. 2 election. Jackson says he can’t afford them.”

Kelly did produce and air commercials, likely influencing the final few voters she needed for victory.

This simple illustration should be a wake up call for all voters, but especially those in Senate District 18. Kelly is sitting on over a $100,000 war chest while challenger Jim Zeller is lagging this election cycle. How much will those few votes cost this time? Knowing now that your vote could have meant the difference between state financed corruption or a brighter future, could your vote have been bought through slick advertising?

Is that the end of the story? Is it just those 50 voters changing their minds that could have avoided financial disaster in our state?

Incidentally, it’s not the only scenario in which SB 66 could have been defeated.

Greta Goodwin is a Democrat representing Sumner, Cowley and extreme southeastern Sedgwick counties. Goodwin won her 2004 General Election race against Republican Ray La Boeuf by just 220 votes.

So again, what if 111 people in that district had changed their minds and voted for Republican La Boeuf? What if Goodwin wouldn’t have had the opportunity to vote for SB 66? With La Boeuf being a conservative, there would have been a strong chance he would have held his ground against the gambling lobbyists. And the bill would have been defeated and our state would have been better off.

Fortunately, you have the chance this November to change both of these seats. Jim Zeller is a strong leader and challenger to the failed policies of Laura Kelly. And SBOE Member Steve Abrams is also challenging out of touch Democrat Greta Goodwin. Will a few votes matter this election cycle? Will a few votes determine the fate of our state for the next four years?

But what if you don’t live in one of these hotly contested districts. If you can’t vote, what can you do to ensure Republican victory?

Even if you don’t live in Senate Districts 18 or 32, you can contribute your hard work, ideas and money to our strong Republican challengers. What if Jackson had been able to afford television commercials? Would that have changed the outcome? You bet, and getting those ads on the air is a responsibility of not just those that live in Districts 18 or 32, it’s a responsibility that falls on all of us. Decisions made by Kelly and Goodwin affect us all. Shouldn’t we all, therefore, be invested in ensuring their defeat?

Contribute to Jim Zeller’s campaign
Zeller for State Senate
3507 NW Cambridge Av
Topeka, KS 66618
Contribute to Steve Abrams campaign:
Abrams for State Senate
PO Box 942
Arkansas City, KS 67005