Cynthia Smith and Tyler Wible on GOP primary ballot for Senate District 19

Cynthia Smith and Tyler Wible are running in the Aug. 6 Republican primary for a seat in the Kansas Senate.

The winner of the Senate District 19 Republican primary will face off Nov. 5 against the winner of the Democratic primary — ShaMecha King Simms, Vic Miller and Patrick Schmidt. The district includes much of central and eastern Topeka and stretches to the north part of Lawrence.

The Capital-Journal posed the same questions to each candidate. Answers were lightly edited for formatting.

What background information would you like voters to know about you?

Smith: "I am a lawyer with a long career in nonprofit management and government relations, including work on high-profile crises such as drug tampering and HIV in the blood supply, for which a prompt and appropriate government response was critical.

"I have been engaged in work with the Kansas Legislature since 1999, representing the predecessor to Evergy and then the SCL Health System, including St. Francis Hospital and the Marian Clinic. Among other special interests I have represented before state legislatures and Congress are health care products, education, environment and golf/green spaces, human rights and foster care.

"I also gained expertise in a variety of fields through volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, CASA, Amnesty International, Team Brownsville, and Lawyers for Good Government. I have circled the globe twice. I have found great reward in retirement through life-changing experiences which continue my education, as good leadership requires."

Wible: "I am, and will always be, a District 19 resident. I was raised, went to school, faced poverty, bought my house, and started my business here. These are my neighbors, friends, and family."

What is your motivation for running to represent this district?

Smith: "I was motivated to run because the legislature needs more moderate Republicans, and as a Statehouse veteran I can hit the ground running. I’ve observed the appropriations process, and seen the waste. I am appalled by bigotry. I will work as a fiscal conservative, and as a moderate on social justice issues. We need more of us in the legislature."

Wible: "To give the best representation possible to the community I care about the most. I want to be involved, help inform, and raise District 19 up to a bigger and brighter future."

Even after the special session, leaders of both parties say more needs done on property taxes. What should the Legislature do next year on taxes?

Smith: "Kansans deserve property tax relief. As home values explode, increasing property taxes can drive people out of their homes. Should we freeze residential property values at the purchase price for tax purposes? I don’t know the impact of such an idea, but my point is that the legislature needs to think outside the box to find ways to bring tax relief to homeowners.

"Government spending is done with taxpayer dollars — your dollars and my dollars — and as Senator I will never lose sight of that. I will fight for legislation that features restraint in tax and spending, and the very best stewardship of taxpayer dollars. That is the strength of a Republican."

Wible: "We need to focus on trimming the budget and make sure spending in our community and schools are going to the proper places where we see the most positive results in our communities."

What do you think is the appropriate role of the Legislature on abortion policy following the Value Them Both vote?

Smith: "The view expressed by the majority of voters in Kansas was clear, and I respect that. Regarding actions by the legislature, I’m not interested in initiatives that are meant to intimidate women or manipulate the law to make criminals out of women and their doctors. I won’t support that work. But even though it is legal in Kansas, abortion is always tragic. I am pleased that more is being done by the legislature to assist women so we have choices other than abortion, and I support those initiatives."

Wible: "Education, women's health, and understanding prevention is a huge need in all governments. Abortion should be looked at in those same regards, necessary in the cases of rape, incest, or protection of the mother. But like any Healthcare, should not be government funded. Government should not be in private industry, that causes costs to skyrocket, and our people deserve real affordable Healthcare."

Do you support Medicaid expansion, and if so, what will you do to advocate for it?

Smith: "I strongly believe everyone should have access to health care. I worked for seven years for SCL Health, a group of faith-based safety net hospital and clinics. We couldn’t believe Kansas turned down billions of dollars for Medicaid expansion. It was political, digging in our heels against Obamacare.

"Even so, I do not feel the taxpayer should foot the bill for health care when the working poor have health insurance options available to them. The ACA health insurance marketplace has evolved. It is my understanding that some of those who would benefit from Medicaid expansion actually already have access to very affordable health insurance. There are anecdotes from other states about patients abandoning their health insurance policies to go on Medicaid. That’s not what we want. If I am elected, I will eagerly gather facts about what level of Medicaid expansion is wise, and vote accordingly."

Wible: "Medicaid Reconstruction, not expansion. Government should not be in private industry, that causes costs to skyrocket, and our people deserve real affordable Healthcare. Make insurance companies lower prices by having to fight for their business."

What other issue(s) are top priorities for you?

Smith: "One of my priorities would be to advance a guiding principle of the Mainstream Coalition, which is support of the constitutional guarantee of the separation of religion and government which protects the right of all Kansans to practice the faith of their choice, or none at all. While legislators may vote according to their faith, religion should not be the basis for governing in our state."

Wible: "Education and protection of our kids. We need to start treating them and raising them as our futures. We need to teach them how to be involved and make a difference in our communities. They are our bigger and brighter future."

How will you personally work toward bringing down the escalation of violent political rhetoric?

Smith: "On the campaign trail, I find that most Republicans are actually moderate like me. As a moderate Republican, I will not traffic in conspiracy theories, or demonize my adversaries, or oppress marginalized populations. I represent the hope that we can curb the radicalized partisanship which has consumed our country."

Wible: "It's about leading by example and holding individuals accountable. People make mistakes, and we need to stand up, take accountability, learn, and move on. Stop dividing and work together."

Do you have any endorsements you want to highlight?

Smith: "I am endorsed by the Mainstream Coalition, a nonpartisan grassroots political organization founded in 1993 with the primary purpose of guarding against ideological extremism and protecting the separation of religion and government. Mainstream is dedicated to creating a more representative and responsive government by empowering informed participation and meaningful action in the political process. Mainstream Coalition envisions a Kansas political system that represents all of its constituents."

Wible: No response.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka voter's guide: Republican primary for Kansas Senate District 19