Candidates seek seat as Kansas governor

By Brett Dalton, Jason E. Silvers, Michael Glover, and Mitzi Shead

Herald-Tribune

Seven candidates are vying for the Governor's seat, in the Kansas primary, set for Aug. 1.

Rex Crowell

Crowell says he is running for governor of the state of Kansas for two reasons: his positive vision for the future and his electability to unseat the incumbent Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

The 62-year-old Crowell was born in Oak Valley. He has four daughters; Sarah, Ashley, Erin and Natalie and one step-daughter, Shanda. The daughters range in age from 18-25; his step-daughter is 31, and she has a 2-year-old daughter, Isabela.

Crowell graduated from Longton High School in 1961, later earning a Associate of Arts Degree from Independence Community College in 1963; a bachelor's degree from Emporia State University in 1965; a master's degree in 1973 from Emporia State; and in 1988 a law degree from Washburn University Law School.

His public service career includes being a state representative in the Kansas Legislature for 20 years from 1975 to 1994, a school board member for Elk Valley USD 283 for 12 years and on the Kansas Turnpike Authority for 12 years.

Dennis Hawver

Dennis Hawver, 63, was born in Topeka and grew-up in Ozawkie. He has two children, Jessica and Zachary. He graduated with a law degree from Washburn in 1974 and a bachelor's degree from Washburn in 1965.

His professional experience includes owning a law firm since 1975 and being a combat intelligence officer in the United States Air Force for five years.

Public service includes running for U.S. House of Representatives District II in 2004; Kansas Governor in 2002; and U.S. House of Representatives in 2000.

He was a member of the Jefferson County Bar Association from 1996 to 2002; a member of American Mensa from 1989 to 2000 and defense counsel for Third Judicial District.

Ken Canfield

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Can-field is a fourth-generation Kansan who hopes to unite the party "through principled leadership and cooperation toward a common vision."

"Together, we can empower families, strengthen communities, and enhance child well-being," Canfield said on his Web site. Canfield's main focus during the campaign is on economic growth and education. Other issues of concern include judicial and cultural issues, immigration and marriage.

Despite not having much political experience, Canfield feels confident in his abilities as a governor.

"The more citizens and business and community leaders I meet, the more I am convinced that Kansans are looking for a governor who is not a political insider," he said. "They are looking for a governor who is ready to work around the clock to bring about change."

Canfield is the founder of the Kansas City-based National Center for Fathering, an organization focused on "equipping men to be the involved fathers their children need." He also founded the International Family Center and the National Center for Fathering. In 1993, he was named Father of the Year by the National Congress for Men and Children.

He is the author of books on fatherhood and has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and NBC's Today Show.

Born in Wichita, Canfield now resides in Overland Park.

Canfield's running mate is state representative and lieutenant governor candidate Kathe Decker of Clay Center. She is an eight-year veteran of the Kansas House and for the last four years she served as chairwoman of the House K-12 Education Committee.

Timothy Pickell

Fourth generation Kansas resident Timothy Pickell seeks to unify the Republican party in an effort to lead the state into the future.

Pickell, a 53-year-old trial attorney from Prairie Village and father of three children, is one of seven Republican gubernatorial candidates hoping to challenge Gov. Kathleen Sebelius during the general elections this fall.

The GOP candidates are vying for the chance to face Sebelius after the August 1 primary election.

"I am a pragmatic idealist, someone who seeks decisions that serve the greatest good for the greatest number of people," Pickell said on his Web site.

Some of Pickell's goals, if elected governor, include expanding the state's agricultural markets and planning a rural revitalization effort.

Concerning the issue of funding public schools in the state's 301 school districts, Pickell said, "An excellent, not 'suitable' education must be our goal. This may require new funding sources. If so, we'll find them and move on."

According to his Web site, the most important issues facing Kansans include education, fiscal responsibility, abortion and sanctity of life, religion, agricultural and rural development, immigration, and independent judiciary.

Pickell also comments on the recent evolution versus creationism debate that has been taking place across the state.

"We should teach science in science classes, religion in a religion class. Both are important," he said.

Pickell has a long political history in Kansas, having served as vice-chairman of the Wyandotte County Republican Party and as a Republican committeeman in both Wyandotte and Johnson counties.

He is the son of Clyde Vernon Pickell, a decorated soldier who twice served on Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower's senior military staff, and Dorothy Pickell, both of whom were Kansas natives.

Pickell was also elected as a member of the Delegation to the Republican Presidential Convention in Dallas, Texas, in 1984.

Pickell's other accomplishments include serving as an elected member of the Shawnee Mission School District Advisory Board; president of the Johnson County Bar Association; director of Reading State Band in Reading, Kan.; and serving as an elder for the Village Presbyterian Church in his hometown of Prairie Village.

He is a graduate of Shawnee Mission East High School, the University of Kansas Law School, and Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., where he graduated magna cum laude, second in his class with a degree in political science.

Pickell also completed the Washington Semester at the American University in Washington, D.C., studying government and politics, and was a Rhodes Scholar finalist. He completed an internship with Congressman Larry Wynn, a representative of the 3rd District in Kansas.

He is also a youth sports coach and a leader of the Boy Scouts and the Eagle Scouts.

On his Web site, Pickell also said, "We are a nation, and state, under God. This is our founding basis. We must honor this, but guard against state-mandated religious expression. Love your family, friends and neighbors, and fellow Republicans, despite your differences. Do you agree on all things with your spouse, children or friends? Do you sever your relationships because you disagree? Or, do you express your convictions and maintain the relationships?"

Pickell's running mate and candidate for lieutenant governor is 51-year-old businessman Jeffrey McCalmon.

Jim Barnett

Kansas Sen. Jim Barnett, representing the 17th District, is one of seven Republican gubernatorial candidates challenging Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

The main issues for his campaign include health care, education, youth issues and agriculture.

On the economy, Barnett said the focus needs to be on job growth.

"It is time Kansas stopped trailing our neighboring states in the number of job we create," he said on his Web site. "It is time our children stopped having to leave the state to find work."

The physician from Emporia, a fourth-generation Kansan, has served on USD 253 BOE, including five years as board president. He was first elected to the state senate 2000 and reelected in 2004.

Barnett said his experience in the medical field will help him as governor.

"As a physician, I understand the needs of the family and the importance of giving parents the tools necessary to raise healthy children and families," he said.

He has served on the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, was chairman of the Diversity Council and was part of Rotary International.

After receiving a Bachelor of Art in Chemistry from Emporia State University, Barnett got a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Kansas Medical School.

Barnett's running mate is Wichita native and former state senator Susan Wagle, who is seeking the lieutenant governor seat. She served as a teacher in Wichita public schools from 1979-'82 and is also a real estate investor. She was elected to the state senate in 2000.

Robin Jennison

Gubernatorial candidate Robin Jennison lists his qualifications as experience, leadership, and commitment. His stand is to make all regions of Kansas as good as they can be.

This Republican is a man who has goals for Kansas, and one of those goals is to run for governor of Kansas and win.

With a personal resume that includes serving as a state representative, house majority leader, speaker of the house and, most recently, federal commissioner and chairman of the Arkansas River Compact Commission, Jennison said he is looking toward helping Kansas have a brighter future.

He claims that the primary strength of Kansas has always been and will continue to be found in the people.

School finance is another area that presents many chances for change, Jennison said.

"I don't think the legislature solved school finance for last year or for this year," he said. "Previous to 1992, we had a far superior formula but instead of adjusting the formula, they completely changed the formula and made it state controlled."

Jennison desires to see the control of schools be given back to local governments, which understand that all schools are not alike.

"I think we need a new formula," he said. "Right now, we have a cookie cutter formula."

Jennison said he would prefer to go back to an equalized formula.

He said he would also like to see school be more in control of the money the state provides.

Jennison is the father of two grown children and his wife is the director of Cox Communication in Topeka, Kan. His residence is Healy, Kan.

Running with Jennison is Dennis Wilson, Overland Park, a candidate for Kansas lieutenant governor.

Richard Rodewald

No information could be obtained for gubernatorial candidate Richard Rodewald, a retired former General Motors troubleshooter from Eudora, Kan.