Voters in the eastern third of Allen County find themselves in a new voting district in the aftermath of last week’s federal judges’ ruling to redraw political boundaries in the state.
Residents in Moran, Elsmore, Savonburg and Mildred — or anyone else living east of 3400 Street in Allen County — are now a part of Kansas’ 2nd House District.
The district also includes the eastern half of Neosho County, including Erie, southwestern portions of Bourbon County, including Bronson and Uniontown, and northwest Crawford County, including Girard and Frontenac.
The district has been represented by Bob Grant of Frontenac continually since 1997, and for a three-year stretch from 1991 to 1994.
Grant, a Democrat, will face a familiar foe in November with Republican Jeff Locke of Arma.
Locke unsuccessfully ran against Grant in 2008 and 2010, losing by a margin of 54 to 43 percent — about 700 votes — in the most recent House election.
Grant originally was appointed to his seat in 1991, winning election in 1992. The lost the seat in 1994 only to gain it back in 1996, which he has held ever since.
He serves as the ranking Democrat on the House committees on financial institutions and insurance. He also serves on House agriculture and natural resources and transportation committees.
“My philosophy is to do the best I can for the people I represent,” Grant said in a telephone interview. “I’m not what you would describe as a liberal Democrat, nor can you call me a right wingnut.”
Grant said he learned to be fiscally conservative through his 16 years as mayor of Cherokee.
“Government should never be intrusive, bu there are certain things a government can do and shold do,” he said. “We have an obligation to fund our schools, to take care of the elderly and help our must vulnurable citizens — the disabled. The last couple of years, we’ve fallen way short of that.”
Grant was highly critical of the tax bill signed into law by Gov. Sam Brownback.
“It’s a terrible piece of legislation filled with false promises,” he said.
The wording in parts of the bill lead Grant to suspect that legislators will need to tackle language again when they convene for the 2013 Legislature in January.
LOCKE espouses what he describes as traditional conservative values.
“The big thing for me is I’m for less regulation, which is just as bad as taxes” in hindering economic growth, Locke said in a telephone interview.
