Derek Schmidt in 2022 KS Governor's race
On Abortion:
Limited-government conservative who opposes abortion
Both Schmidt and Colyer are running as limited-government conservatives who oppose abortion, limits on gun rights and an expansion of the state's
Medicaid health coverage for the needy. They'll also play to Trump's supporters in a state Trump carried comfortably in two elections.
Source: Associated Press on KSHB-41 on 2022 Kansas Governor race
Mar 9, 2021
On Budget & Economy:
Living within our means is a critical task for governors
One of his chief concerns is the economic direction the state has taken over the last decade, particularly in what he sees as an unhealthy rise in government spending at the state level. The state's $21 billion in spending this fiscal year is up
$6 billion a year from a decade ago, he noted."That's not a sustainable path," Schmidt said. "I think having an honest conversation with Kansans about living within our means is a critical task for whoever the chief executive is."
Source: Great Bend Tribune on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Jun 8, 2021
On Budget & Economy:
Use budget surplus to pay down debt, cut taxes
Schmidt wants lawmakers to use much of a projected $2.9 billion surplus to pay down public debt while also targeting tax relief for Kansans. Schmidt is calling for lawmakers to send $1 billion in cash--or more--to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement
System. "The bottom line is we have a rare and unprecedented opportunity to fix this long-term pension debt problem that's accumulated over a generation in Kansas, to shore up the system for current and future retirees," Schmidt said.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Jan 8, 2022
On Civil Rights:
Would have signed vetoed transgender athlete ban
Conservative Republicans in Kansas failed to overturn the Democratic governor's veto of a proposed ban on transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports. The proposed ban is likely to be an issue in the 2022 governor's race, when Kelly seeks a
second term. The top two Republican candidates, Attorney General Derek Schmidt and former Gov. Jeff Colyer, have said they would have signed the measure.
Source: Associated Press on KAKE-ABC on 2022 Kansas Governor race
May 3, 2021
On Drugs:
Sued to strike down city marijuana decriminalization
In 2015, voters in Wichita decriminalized marijuana. However, the state's conservative Republican attorney general,
Derek Schmidt, who is running for governor next year, took the city to court and won a decision striking down the voter-approved measure [on] technicalities.
Source: Kansas City Magazine on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Aug 24, 2021
On Drugs:
People influenced by chemical substances hurt innocents
While Schmidt does not personally favor the legalization of marijuana, he recognizes the trend toward legalization in surrounding states. "These decisions are not without cost," Schmidt said.
"Many people who are innocent get hurt by people whose behavior is influenced by chemical substances," he noted. "I am hopeful that Kansas will not rush down that road."
Source: Great Bend Tribune on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Jun 8, 2021
On Families & Children:
Combat the serious problem of elder abuse
Elder abuse is becoming a focus of the nation's state attorneys general for the next year. Abuse numbers are staggering for the problem, which is often in the shadows, warned Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, the new president of the National
Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).He pointed to estimates that one out of every 10 people 65 and over and living at home will become an abuse victim. "As the population age 65 and older continues to grow, it is clear that we all need to do more
to combat this serious problem," Schmidt said in a press release. "My hope is that when this year is ended, we have identified some of the best ideas from around the country and made them readily available to adapt for other states."
His push for
the state law enforcement chiefs will cumulate in a two-day NAAG conference on the issue next April. Schmidt, a Republican, has put together a bipartisan elder abuse working group for the association that includes attorney generals Mark Brnovich (R-AZ).
Source: Financial Adviser on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Aug 18, 2017
On Government Reform:
Let legislature override governor's executive orders
Schmidt and state legislators have proposed a new amendment to the Kansas Constitution that would limit executive actions by the Governor. Schmidt said, "This proposal would check the power of the ever-growing administrative state by making sure the
final power to make law rests where it should--with the people's elected representatives in the Legislature--and restore balance by requiring real accountability for rules, regulations and executive orders."
Source: WKCH-12 News on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Feb 23, 2021
On Government Reform:
Federal bill expanding voting rights is "hyper-partisan"
Schmidt voiced his opposition to legislation in Congress that would expand voting rights,
arguing it was "hyper-partisan" and would "federalize state elections."
Source: The Topeka Capital-Journal on 2022 Kansas Governor race
Mar 9, 2021
On Government Reform:
Support Supreme Court challenge to 2020 election
Schmidt also signed on to a motion in support of a longshot Supreme Court case challenging the November 2020 election results in four key swing states, part of
President Donald Trump's unsubstantiated arguments of election fraud. In his announcement video, Schmidt did not reference the lawsuit directly in his announcement but touted his record of "defending President Trump's 'America first' agenda."
Source: The Topeka Capital-Journal on 2022 Kansas Governor race
Mar 9, 2021
On Gun Control:
Recognize out of state concealed carry permits
A House committee has advanced a bill to expand Kansas' recognition of other states' concealed carry permits. Schmidt said the bill would help the state maintain reciprocity agreements with other states so that Kansans can carry concealed firearms
elsewhere. Schmidt said when Kansas passed a law allowing residents to carry concealed firearms without a permit, they removed a provision that required the attorney general to recognize concealed carry permits issued by other jurisdictions.
Source: Associated Press on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Feb 10, 2021
On Health Care:
COVID: Opposed prisoner vaccines; closing churches, schools
Throughout the pandemic, Schmidt has been at odds with Gov. Laura Kelly's decisions, including vaccine distribution to prison populations, school district mask mandates and attempting to restore the legislature's ability to revoke state-agency issued
regulation. Schmidt also issued a legal opinion in the early stages of the pandemic, questioning the state's authority to prosecute people who violate emergency orders.
Source: Associated Press on KSHB-41 on 2022 Kansas Governor race
Mar 9, 2021
On Health Care:
Elected Attorney-General opposing Affordable Care Act
Schmidt was a Kansas Senate majority leader in 2010 when he made his first run for attorney general and unseated a Democrat after promising to push back against the Affordable Care Act championed by then-President Barack Obama.
Schmidt's participation in lawsuits with other GOP attorneys general have been a regular feature of his tenure.
Source: Associated Press on KSHB-41 on 2022 Kansas Governor race
Mar 9, 2021
On Principles & Values:
Wrote legal brief for July 4 fireworks at Mount Rushmore
Schmidt led colleagues in writing a legal brief in support of holding fireworks at Mount Rushmore. "Given the importance of the Fourth of July holiday and the special role of Mount Rushmore as a national monument, amici States have an interest in
seeing the fireworks display take place," Schmidt and the other attorneys general wrote. "In rejecting South Dakota's permit, the Department of the Interior offered only the flimsiest of rationales, unsupported by any evidence or reasoned explanation."
Source: The Topeka Capital-Journal on 2022 Kansas Governor race
May 22, 2021
On Principles & Values:
Public prayer by coach on school field is protected speech
Schmidt joined 23 other state attorneys general to reverse a ruling which allowed a school district to punish the coach for praying alone on a football field in view of students. "Courts have repeatedly confirmed that the mere presence of private,
protected religious speech on a school campus does not constitute an endorsement such that it brings the school within the ambit of an Establishment Clause violation," the attorneys general argued in the brief.
Source: WIBW on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Oct 19, 2021
On Tax Reform:
Sued to allow COVID relief funds use for state tax relief
[On coronavirus relief]: "The federal court's ruling ensures that tax relief enacted earlier this year by the Kansas Legislature over Governor Kelly's veto will remain in effect and will not result in the Biden administration demanding that Kansas
return some of its federal COVID-19 relief funds," Schmidt said. "It also clears the way for Kansas to adopt our bipartisan recommendations to eliminate or significantly reduce the state's sales tax on groceries without fear of federal reprisal."
Source: AG press release on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Nov 16, 2021
Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023