Mark Holland in 2022 KS Senate race
On Abortion:
Defend the right of every woman to bodily autonomy
Every person has a right to decide if and when they have children. Access to affordable birth control is essential in every community. We need to defend the right of every woman to have autonomy over her body and make a decision about abortion.
This basic human right should not be regulated by the government. We must especially stand up against inhumane abortion restrictions that offer no exceptions for rape, incest, and a woman's health.
Source: 2022 Kansas Senate campaign website HollandForKansas.com
Jun 26, 2022
On Abortion:
Women's rights are human rights; human rights not for sale
Mark Holland said it matters people stand up for women's rights. "We need to send a clear message that women's rights are human rights," he said. "Human rights belong in the constitution and aren't for sale.
What's happening in our country right now is an attack on democracy and of just not women but on all citizens who believe we have a right to make decisions on our own bodies."
Source: The Gardner News on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Jul 1, 2022
On Budget & Economy:
Smart federal spending grows the public sector
The economy drives America and Kansas. As mayor I oversaw $2.8 billion in private investment that created over 12,000 new jobs in Wyandotte County. We grew the economy by looking forward to new industries and opportunities.
I support the US infrastructure bills so Kansans can work with dignity to support themselves and their families. Smart federal spending grows the public sector, not the government.
Source: 2022 Kansas Senate campaign website HollandForKansas.com
Jun 26, 2022
On Civil Rights:
Stop criminalizing gender identity & other social issues
Passing punitive laws is a shallow and unsuccessful way to address America's social issues. We must stop criminalizing mental health, abortion, addiction, and gender identity. These laws only succeed in furthering cultural division and
filling up our prisons. We must work together to craft meaningful policy that unites our country and helps those most in need.
Source: 2022 Kansas Senate campaign website HollandForKansas.com
Jun 26, 2022
On Education:
Public schools are backbone of local economic development
The public schools in Kansas are the backbone of our local economic development and are key to community growth and attracting and retaining families and businesses.
Our public schools must prepare our kids for meaningful vocational work and/or college. Every child should have access to a quality education.
Source: 2022 Kansas Senate campaign website HollandForKansas.com
Jun 26, 2022
On Energy & Oil:
Needn't choose between vibrant economy and a livable planet
Working for the environment is a win/win for the planet and the people. Emerging environmental industries offer new jobs and better long-term sustainability. We need to stop the culture war between liberals and conservatives and work together for a
new, more sustainable economy that gives us the energy and resources we need. It is a false narrative that we must choose between a vibrant economy and a livable planet. America deserves both!
Source: 2022 Kansas Senate campaign website HollandForKansas.com
Jun 26, 2022
On Environment:
Let EPA regulate CO2 emissions
The Supreme Court's decision limiting how the Environmental Protection Agency can regulate carbon dioxide emissions from power plants is putting political leaders, candidates and advocacy groups' stances on environmental policy in the spotlight.
Mark Holland echoed concerns this would seriously curtail efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change. "The Koch bought court sides with fossil-fuel companies in blocking enforcement of the Clean Air Act," Holland said on Twitter.
Source: Sunflower State Radio on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Jul 1, 2022
On Foreign Policy:
Ukraine is a key regional strategic partner of the U.S.
Ukraine is a key regional strategic partner of the United States. Along with our allies, and our partners worldwide, we are united in the support of Ukraine in response to Russia's premeditated war. Since January 2021, the United States has invested
more than $7.9 billion in security assistance to demonstrate our commitment to Ukraine. I am committed to making Ukraine's security a top priority in order to provide the equipment and resources it needs to defend itself.
Source: KSN-TV on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Jul 13, 2022
On Government Reform:
Increase access for every citizen to cast legitimate ballots
We need leaders who tell the truth about our elections. Our votes are counted at the grass-roots level by honest Kansans and Americans. There is no widespread fraud in the Kansas or American voting systems. Lies and conspiracy theories about
elections undermine our democracy. We also need to stand up to gerrymandering, whether we are in a red or a blue state. We need to increase access for every citizen to cast a legitimate ballot.
Source: 2022 Kansas Senate campaign website HollandForKansas.com
Jun 26, 2022
On Government Reform:
Disclose campaign donors; end gerrymandering
Citizens United allows untraceable dark money allows the few to control our politics and inflame a lose/lose culture war, thereby preventing Congress from crafting meaningful legislation. We must require organizations that spend money on elections to
disclose their donor information. Reforming campaign finance is the main way to restore our democracy. I support federal action to end gerrymandering by creating an independent commission for redistricting.
Source: 2022 Kansas Senate campaign website HollandForKansas.com
Jun 26, 2022
On Government Reform:
Our democracy hangs in the balance; must be protected
The Constitution provides the ability for Congress to enact new legislation which would block the Court from pursuing their new "independent state legislature" theory. The protection and expansion of federal voting rights is my top priority and
I will work with any Senator who shares my belief that our democracy hangs in the balance and must be protected.
Source: KSN-TV on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Jul 13, 2022
On Gun Control:
We can protect right to guns and make communities safer
[On gun rights]: "Republicans want it to be a culture war issue. It's the same thing with guns. It's a false dichotomy to say we can't protect people's rights to own guns and keep our communities safer.
Of course, we can do both. And we must do both."
Source: The Iola Register on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Feb 8, 2022
On Health Care:
Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege
Healthcare is a human right, not a privilege. We must provide affordable healthcare to every person and every community. Too many rural and urban hospitals have closed, while politicians play a pointless culture war instead of expanding Medicaid.
There have also been too many irresponsible conspiracy theories about this global pandemic and vaccines that risk setting our country back 100 years in public health and wellbeing.
Source: 2022 Kansas Senate campaign website HollandForKansas.com
Jun 26, 2022
On Immigration:
We can have a secure border with smart immigration policy
I believe that we can have both a secure border while also having a smart immigration policy that can provide the necessary workforce to help both our communities thrive.
Whether that is migrant farmers to assist with the wheat harvest or medical doctors who can provide needed specialists for struggling rural hospitals, a focused immigration policy can play an active role.
Source: KSN-TV on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Jul 13, 2022
On Principles & Values:
We're the greatest nation, we need to teach honest history
We live in the greatest state, in the greatest nation in the world. We need to teach honest history about how far we have come and where we still fall short.
Only with the truth can we heal broken relationships and build a more just nation. The Kansas and America I love are always celebrating who we are AND working to do better.
Source: 2022 Kansas Senate campaign website HollandForKansas.com
Jun 26, 2022
On Principles & Values:
I firmly believe in separation of church and state
I firmly believe in a cornerstone of the First Amendment, separation of church and state, or a common sense way to ensure everyone can practice whatever religion they want, or no religion at all. I get frustrated with people who claim that their
particular brand of Christianity is the only voice that matters. In public office, I never have and never will lead with my particular Christian or United Methodist beliefs. I will instead lead with Kansas values and American values.
Source: 2022 Kansas Senate campaign website HollandForKansas.com
Jun 26, 2022
On Principles & Values:
Must stand up for the Constitution after January 6
[On Jan. 6 events]: "If you can't stand up for the Constitution of the United States after January 6, you've just told us you can't stand up for what's right. "Moran voted against even investigating the Jan. 6 attack on our Capitol, and then within
weeks was asking Trump for his endorsement, which means he's accepting the lies about the election. Now we're being told the desecration on our Capitol was 'legitimate political discourse.' By accepting that, Moran has chosen re-election over integrity.
Source: The Iola Register on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Feb 8, 2022
On Principles & Values:
We all want meaningful work, opportunity for our children
Holland started his stump speech by declaring lineage as a fourth-generation union Democrat and third-generation United Methodist pastor. In faith communities, he said, members didn't segregate themselves in pews by partisan affiliation. "We all
want the same thing," he said. "We all want meaningful work. We all want opportunity for our children. And, we all want to live in a community that we can be proud of."
Source: Kansas Reflector on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Jun 30, 2022
On Abortion:
People of Kansas voted "hell no" to abortion ban
Holland said it was wrong for the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade and take away a woman's constitutional right to abortion, even to save her own life or in the aftermath of a rape. It would be appropriate for Congress to embed in federal law
a right to abortion, he said.The overwhelming defeat in the Aug. 2 primary of a proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution declaring no right to bodily autonomy, including abortion, was contained in the state's Bill of Rights provided evidence of
where the state's voters stood on the issue. He noted Moran, who endorsed reversal of Roe v. Wade, donated $50,000 to organizations supporting passage of the Kansas abortion amendment.
"The idea that women don't have the right to make their own
decisions about their body is, again, that's looking backwards to the 1950s," Holland said. "The majority of people in Kansas came out in force and said, not only did they vote no, they voted hell no."
Source: Kansas Reflector on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Aug 22, 2022
On Health Care:
Medicaid coverage for lower-income Kansans
Holland is a proponent of expanding Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act to lower-income Kansans because it would help families in urban and rural communities. He also supported federal legislation allowing
Medicare negotiate to lower medication prices for the elderly, but couldn't understand why federal lawmakers would oppose a price cap on the monthly cost of insulin to treat diabetes.
"We're the only developed country in the world where families are worried about health care," he said. "People are not able to take care of
their families the way they need to because we're not controlling costs. I will help control costs in D.C."
Source: Kansas Reflector on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Aug 22, 2022
On Principles & Values:
Respect interests of neglected rural voters
Holland said a formula for success against Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran was to prevail in 10 counties holding two-thirds of the state's vote and by respecting interests of neglected rural voters. His U.S. Senate campaign will take him to all 105
counties for face-to-face conversations with folks deciding Nov. 8 whether to end the longest GOP winning streak in the nation."We have a better message on public education. We have a better message on health care. We have a better message on wages.
We need to get out and share our message," Holland said on the Kansas Reflector podcast. "And, we need to spend the time listening to the real concerns of real people."
Holland said reversing that trend [of Republican victories]required
Democrats to resonate with voters in the state's populous 10 counties and draw upon a reservoir of support in the others. A cadre of voters statewide, both urban and rural, feel abandoned by their representatives in Washington, he said.
Source: Kansas Reflector on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Aug 22, 2022
Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023