Off To The Gubernatorial Races

Gareth Bill, Taylor Caskey, Liam Murphy, and Reed Norman officially
announced their candidacy for Kansas Governor in a press conference Thursday.

LAWRENCE--
The four candidates for Kansas Governor gave brief speeches and answered the
medias questions on Thursday, February 12, 2015 in a press conference at the
University of Kansas. A full video of the press conference is available online at:
http://coms607.weebly.com/campaign-announcements
The men were allowed up to seven minutes for their opening statement, in which
they officially announced their candidacy, followed by seven minutes of questioning
from the media. I had the privilege of questioning the candidates on behalf of the
media with another colleague and was pleased to see each candidate was well
prepared for the event. All four candidates spoke eloquently and showed the
charisma to lead the state and command the rooms attention.
The order of the speakers was chosen at random and preceded as follows: Liam
Murphy (D), Taylor Caske (R), Gareth Bill (R), Reed Norman (D).

Liam Murphy (D) was a worthy first
speech dealt with explaining this
presenter due to his alumni status at
passion for equality across the board.
the University and his comfort in
Murphy hopes to improve equality in
being at the school was apparent.
access to education, equal pay for
Murphy showed up ready to make a
equal work, and also to not
lasting impression on the audience.
discriminate based on gender identity
His voice echoed around the room and
or sexuality; Murphy says he supports
his opening speech was seasoned with
gay marriage.
state-boasting lingo, smart campaign

slogans, and self-promotion, without
Taylor Caskey (R), in contrast to
coming off cocky. Murphy says his
Murphy was much more soft spoken.
reasons for running are to preserve
That being said, his messages were
Kansan values and to protect and
actually portrayed in a more
promote equality. Murphy believes
organized way. Caskey chooses his
investing in education is the best way
words wisely and has an altogether
to get our economy back on track and
calm demeanor about him. Caskey
that people should never have to
stands out from the other candidates
decide between putting food on the
in that he doesnt stand out; and this is
table and being able to send their
not a bad thing. Caskey has always
child to a fine education Most of his
been ahead of the curve as he pointed

out when asked how he feels his age

program and find out what went
will affect his candidacy and results in
wrong. He also plans to tweak current
the election. Caskey spent some time
Governor Brownbacks classification
explaining his unfinished Growing
of small business so that larger
Kansas Plan by which his
businesses arent getting away
administration will guarantee a
without paying their taxes.
period of tax abatements for companies

that agree to commit to growth and
Reed Norman (D) was the final
development in the state of Kansas.
candidate to speak on Thursday and
Ideally this plan will sustain economic
concluded the conference well. He is
growth in Kansas and make it a state
small in stature but big in
in which people want to do business.
presentation. His speech was
Careful not to claim bi-partisanship,
exquisitely organized and easy to
Caskey stated his intent to listen to all
understand. His drive to become
opinion and that we must not let the
Governor came about from seeing
colors red or blue muddy the process.
opportunities that could be created

but werent there both living and
Gareth Bill (R) certainly came off as
working in Kansas. He presented the
the most friendly and approachable of
three things he hopes to accomplish in
the candidates. He praises Kansas and
Kansas; better access to higher
its resources and speaks intelligently
education, economic prosperity, and
backing up his claims and plans with
to reduce mass incarceration, as well
research and with his investment
as how he plans to address them.
experience. Bill began with stating his
Some of these plans are to create a
goals to improve education, business
free junior college program and to
development and economic welfare. He
legalize marijuana. For each of his
mentions that our state is not
three goals he laid out two ways in
allocating enough funds to education
which he is going to achieve them.
and believes it deserves more. He
After living and working here his
expressed his plan to redesign No
whole life now Norman wants to give
Child Left Behind so that instead of
back to Kansas.
punishing schools that dont achieve

the standard, the state will combat the

A full video of Thursdays press conference is available online at:

http://coms607.weebly.com/campaign-announcements
Its my promise, thats what I know, STRAIGHT-UP.

-Alyssa Lindbloom, the STRAIGHT-UP post
Lead Correspondent on Candidate Relations