Over the next few days, the Journal will endorse candidates in various political races. Endorsements are a longstanding newspaper tradition. We welcome responses, and, of course, urge voters to state their preferences with their ballots.

Two locally well-known politicians are competing to represent residents in the state's 24th Senate District. Incumbent Republican Pete Brungardt has held the seat since 2000. His challenger, Democrat Abner Perney, is a Salina city commissioner.

The district includes most of Saline and Ottawa counties, including the cities of Delphos to the north, Tescott and Brookville to the east, and Assaria and Gypsum to the south. The district extends into a small portion of Dickinson County and includes the cities of Solomon and Abilene.

The Journal endorses Brungardt because he can do the most good for the constituents in his district.

Brungardt is well-respected in the Statehouse for his leadership, and because he gives thoughtful consideration to the important matters of the day. He educates himself on the issues, listens to various viewpoints, and gives frank answers on politically hot questions.

Brungardt also does not toe the GOP party line, whether it comes from right-wing Republicans or the party's moderates. He thinks independently and acts according to what he thinks is best.

We disagree with Brungardt's consistent support of Sunflower Energy's proposal to expand its coal-fired electric generating plant near Holcomb. Perney opposes the plant and offers noteworthy proposals regarding raising income taxes instead of property taxes, disbanding the State Board of Education and doing more to support expanded local production of fresh fruit and produce.

However, those positives are not enough to change our support for Brungardt, who is doing a good job representing us in the Kansas Senate.

-- Tom Bell

Editor & Publisher

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