OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) The last party-sponsored debate between GOP candidates for Kansas governor grew heated as Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Gov. Jeff Colyer spent much of the evening criticizing each other and audience members frequently booed.
The debate Thursday night at Johnson County Community College highlighted how the campaign between the two leading candidates has become increasingly bitter with the primary less than a month away, The Kansas City Star reported.
Colyer focused on Kobachs performance in a federal court lawsuit where he sought to defend previous proof-of-citizenship requirements for voters. U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson ruled last month that Kansas cannot require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and struck down the law, which Kobach had championed. She also found Kobach in contempt of court for not complying with previous orders. He was fined $1,000 last year and faces more sanctions, including being required to attend classes on legal procedure.