3/7/2009

Another challenger arises for Moran's seat

By MICHAEL STRAND

Salina Journal

It might seem as though we've just been through a major election, and there are local elections coming up in April.

Yet the 2010 mid-term elections aren't far off -- not with an open seat being created by Rep. Jerry Moran's decision to run for U.S. Senate. That move has prompted many candidates to consider seeking that 1st District seat, while Moran frequently drew no serious challengers.

Among those seeking the 1st District Congressional seat is Republican Rob Wasinger, 37, who is in the midst of a tour of all 69 counties in the district. Wasinger was in Salina on Friday afternoon.

Wasinger grew up in Hays, now lives in Cottonwood Falls and has worked on the staffs of Gov. Bill Graves, Moran in the state Legislature, and U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback.

Among his goals is to reinvigorate the rural economy, using "a new Homestead Act" with incentives similar to those sometimes provided to doctors who move to rural Kansas.

"Too often, young people grow up, go to college and never come back," Wasinger said. "We want to try to keep that talent here."

Census information, Wasinger said, shows that many people who move out of Kansas "aren't moving to New York or California -- they're moving to Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, and taking wealth with them."

He said he already has some familiarity with the Salina area, having worked on Salina projects, such as funding for the Salina Municipal Airport, when he was in Brownback's office.

He acknowledges that in seeking to be Moran's successor, "I have big shoes to fill -- but I want to be my own guy."

He has learned while traveling the district and listening to people that there's "anxiety and frustration with the economy -- a real frustration with what's going on now," and worry that the various federal stimulus packages aren't working.

Wasinger said he's not worried about the number of people interested in seeking the same position. Other Republicans in the race so far include state Sen. Tim Huelskamp, of Fowler, Tim Barker, of Pratt, and Sue Boldra, of Hays.

"Having lots of people in the race is a positive thing," he said. "I don't have a problem with discussing the issues with as many people as we can."

n Reporter Mike Strand can be reached at 822-1418 or by e-mail at mstrand@salina.com.

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