Carl Brewer in 2018 KS Governor's race
On Drugs:
Legalize recreational marijuana to diversify farm crops
The three major Democratic candidates--Carl Brewer, Josh Svaty and Laura Kelly--all support medical marijuana. So do Republican Jim Barnett and independent Greg Orman. That doesn't mean their positions are all the same, however.In addition to medical
marijuana, Brewer supports the legalization of recreational marijuana as well. He said he hears on the campaign trail that farmers want to diversify their crops with marijuana and that it will provide relief for people with some health conditions.
Orman said that doctors who can prescribe Schedule II narcotics under the federal government's drug schedules should also be able to prescribe medical marijuana. Schedule II drugs are considered less dangerous than Schedule I drugs.
For the most part, the Republican candidates for governor are taking a harder line on marijuana. Gov. Jeff Colyer and Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer both indicated they don't support medical or recreational marijuana.
Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Jun 29, 2018
On Health Care:
We all deserve health care, even the poor
Brewer and Hartman were both asked to address whether the state should expand Medicaid to cover low-income workers who make too much to qualify now, but don't make enough to qualify for insurance coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act.
Brewer favors Medicaid expansion, saying that "We're all equal and we all deserve the opportunity" to get health care. Denying care to the poor is "like saying 'You're not worth it,'" he said.
Hartman said he understands that Medicaid expansion is an important issue for the survival of hospitals, but "We do not have the money here in the state of Kansas to fund it." Hartman, an oilman and restaurant owner,
is running as a business outsider and said that if he's elected, he'll use his business experience to identify waste in the state budget so that those dollars can be spent on something more important, like health care.
Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Apr 21, 2017
On Principles & Values:
Bring everyone to the table, across party lines
Former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer told said, "What sets me apart is my experience as mayor. I brought everyone to the table, from all political stripes. I involved everyone in the process." Brewer says that he would use the skills he honed at the local
level in Wichita to move the state forward."What people care about is quality of life. What we all want is not about party. I don't think what we all want has anything to do with whether you're a Democrat or Republican. We all want our children to
have a good education. We all want safe streets. We all want a wonderful infrastructure. We all want opportunities, and we all want new jobs & businesses in our communities."
Brewer talked about his ability to bring people together to solve problems.
More immediately relevant, however, will be his ability to get Republicans to cross party lines and vote for a Democrat, an imperative for victory in Kansas where only 25% of voters are registered Democrats.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2018 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Feb 26, 2017
On Principles & Values:
Hobby is competitive barbecuing: his sauce "Brewer's Best"
Brewer is not a household name outside of Wichita, so he has work to do to raise his profile. However, his story is compelling. Brewer served in the Kansas National Guard, commanding infantry and armored companies.
He worked as a sheet metal machinist and rose to leadership positions in the aviation industry.
He served on the Wichita City Council and was mayor from 2007 to 2015. He's an avid hunter and fisherman, and his hobby is competitive barbecuing, where he enters his signature barbecue sauces "Brewer's Best."
Oh, and one more thing: If elected, he would be the first black governor in the state's history.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2018 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Feb 26, 2017
On Welfare & Poverty:
Grew up in daily, anxious poverty
Brewer's background is markedly different than the other potential candidates from both parties who are considering running for governor. The names being bandied about include people who grew up as sons of farmers, oil company executives, car dealership
owners, dentists, public school teachers and professors. A 2015 profile on Brewer notes, "He grew up in daily, anxious poverty," and his stepfather was an alcoholic who beat him.
He did not talk about those experiences, but no doubt they inform Brewer's main themes, which he did discuss. "My biggest priorities are jobs and securing a good education for the children of this state.
I have the experience, knowledge and passion to get us back on track. I will bring new leadership and restore confidence in our government. It will take a new vision to do so."
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2018 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Feb 26, 2017
On Education:
Same resources for urban/rural schools as wealthy districts
Brewer, who would be the first African-American governor of Kansas if elected, announced his campaign ahead of the state party's annual convention. He spoke to a crowd at the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce in Kansas City. "As mayor, all the
children in Wichita were my children. And as governor, all of the children in the state would be my children, and I'm going to make sure that they get the education that they need," Brewer, who served as mayor from 2007 to 2015, told the crowd.
Several of the event's attendees brought up inequality in education and pressed Brewer on his plans to fix it. Brewer, who noted he attended all-black schools in Wichita as a child, said the state needs to ensure both urban and rural schools have the
same resources as wealthier districts. He promised to release a school funding plan after the Legislature acts on the issue later this session and to visit every corner of the state during the campaign.
Source: The Kansas City Star on 2018 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Feb 20, 2017
On Environment:
Community partnerships to clean up polluted Superfund sites
Former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer picked a symbolic location to launch his bid for governor --the Hotel at Old Town--setting the tone for a community activist campaign contrasting with the small-government philosophy that has dominated
Kansas politics during Gov. Sam Brownback's six years in office. "The building that we're standing in today is a great example of community partnerships,"
Brewer said. "This hotel used to be a polluted Superfund site with a very grim future. But with collaboration from local, state and federal agencies, we resulted in a thriving entertainment district that has revitalized our downtown."
Brewer said the state is now facing the same kind of challenges Wichita faced in building up Old Town. "The state's financial future--the forecast is very dark and cloudy," Brewer said.
Source: The Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Feb 20, 2017
Page last updated: Apr 19, 2020