Topeka House District 55 will have new representative for first time since 1997

For the first time since 1997, voters in north-central Topeka will have a new legislator representing them at the Kansas Statehouse.

District 55 became an open seat after the retirement of longtime Rep. Annie Kuether, a Democrat, at the end of the legislative session. Running to succeed her are Democrats Joshua Luttrell and Tobias Schlingensiepen and Republican Todd C. Staerkel.

The district covers portions of central and north Topeka, generally bounded by the Kansas River on the north, 21st Street on the south, Topeka Boulevard on the east and Gage Boulevard on the west.

If you do not know what district you live in, enter your address at openstates.org.

Voters guide: District 53 is only Topeka legislative race with contested primaries for Republicans and Democrats

Voters guide: Topeka has 16 candidates running for Kansas Legislature. Here's your guide to Aug. 2 election.

The primary election is Aug. 2, but Shawnee County voters may vote early with an advance or mail ballot.

Candidate responses to our questionnaire are below, as are photos they submitted. Responses were lightly edited for style and length.

1. Tell voters about yourself:

Joshua Luttrell, Democrat: I am a lifelong Topeka native and have spent most of my life living in the 55th district. I am a father of two amazing teenagers and husband to my wonderful wife, Carmen Anello. I'm running because I believe Kansas needs more people to stand up and fight for the real needs in our community. I've watched Republican legislatures using their position of power to strip away voting rights, consolidate power, attack the LGBTQ community, attempt to weaken and manipulate public education, and generally waste time focused on extremist issues instead of doing productive work for ALL Kansans. I'm running because I believe we need leaders who will inspire a new generation of Kansans to get involved in fighting for our communities, to make them feel included and to remind them that their vote matters and who they vote for matters.

Tobias Schlingensiepen, Democrat: I have lived in this district for over 40 years, attended public schools in USD 501, and currently serve as the Senior Minister of the First Congregational Church in Topeka. When Sam Brownback attempted to shut down the Kansas Neurological Institute, I led the charge to defend critical services for Kansans with disabilities and save jobs. As the lead chaplain of the Topeka Police Department, I understand the unique challenges our community faces and will work to make Kansas a better place to live, work and raise a family. I am also proud to have the endorsement of retiring Rep. Annie Kuether in this race.

Todd C. Staerkel, Republican: Didn't respond.

2. There are many substantive issues debated on education in the Statehouse (expansion of school choice, school safety, academic performance of schools, special education funding). Which of these do you feel is the most important and how would you address it?

Luttrell: I believe education funding is the area that needs the most attention right now. Our teachers are the backbone of our education system and they need economic support in order to do their job and for our state to deal with the crisis of not having enough teachers. I will always fight to properly fund our education system and our teachers.

Schlingensiepen: Protecting — and expanding — support for our public schools is critical. I will oppose efforts to expand vouchers or any policy that diverts public tax dollars to unaccountable private schools. We must also increase funding for special education, which has been chronically underfunded for years. If elected, I will be a tireless advocate for our hard-working teachers and the future of our children.

3. What is the state of the Kansas economy and what is the biggest thing state lawmakers can do to make it better?

Luttrell: Under Gov. Kelly, our state has started to heal from the disastrous Brownback tax policies and has weathered some of the worst economic conditions due to COVID. Lawmakers can continue to support tax policies that support and protect working families instead of giveaways to corporations and the rich.

Schlingensiepen: Under the leadership of Gov. Kelly, Kansas has achieved historic economic investment. That being said, our global economy is uncertain and wages are too low. Responsible tax policies, like eliminating the sales tax on food, provide much-needed relief to every Kansan. We must do more to help support hard-working Kansans.

4. Yes or no: Do you support a ban on abortion without any exception for rape, incest or preserving the life of the mother?

Luttrell: No.

Schlingensiepen: No.

5. Yes or no: Do you support a ban on abortion with only an exception for saving the life of a mother?

Luttrell: No.

Schlingensiepen: No.

6. Yes or no: Do you support a ban on abortion with an exception for rape and incest, in addition to saving the life of the mother?

Luttrell: No.

Schlingensiepen: No.

7. Yes or no: Would you support moving up the implementation of the elimination of the state sales tax on food, currently scheduled to take full effect on Jan. 1, 2025?

Luttrell: Yes.

Schlingensiepen: Yes.

8. Yes or no: Do you support a proposal to end state income taxes on retirement income?

Luttrell: No.

Schlingensiepen: No.

9. Yes or no: Do you support expanding Medicaid in Kansas?

Luttrell: Yes.

Schlingensiepen: Yes.

10. Yes or no: Do you support legalizing medical marijuana in the form of edibles, topicals or other non-smokable products?

Luttrell: Yes.

Schlingensiepen: Yes.

11. Yes or no: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana?

Luttrell: Yes.

Schlingensiepen: Yes.

12. Are there any other legislative issues that you would like to address? If you feel the need, you may use this space to explain any yes or no answers from above.

Luttrell: Criminal justice reform, voter rights and gerrymandering, LGBTQ rights, protecting the environment, minimum wage increase, right-wing extremism and their attacks on democracy.

Schlingensiepen: The most important election in this primary is the constitutional amendment that opens the door for an abortion ban in Kansas. Politicians in Topeka have no business banning reproductive freedom. In the Legislature, I will be a tireless advocate for a woman's right to make her own medical decisions. Speaking of health care, we must also expand Medicaid and provide insurance for over 150,000 Kansans. Protection of pre-existing conditions and greater access to every aspect of health care are two of my top priorities. Additionally, we must work to make our state a more welcoming and inclusive place to live. Passing hateful, discriminatory policies against the LGBTQ+ community drives away young people from our state and is unacceptable. With regards to taxes, we must ensure that any tax policy changes benefit all Kansans and do not hurt our ability to fully fund critical state services such as public education.

13. Where can voters learn more about you?

Luttrell: Website: www.joshluttrell.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/luttrell4kansas; Email: campaign@joshluttrell.com.

Schlingensiepen: Website: www.tobiasforkansashouse.com; Email: tobias@tobiasforkansashouse.com; Phone: 785-221-0215; Facebook: www.facebook.com/TobiasForKansasHouse/; Twitter: www.twitter.com/TobiasForKansas.

Jason Tidd is a statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jtidd@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jason_Tidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka House District 55 primary election has two Democrats, one GOP