Challenging the GOP Stranglehold
by Mike McCorkle, Democratic candidate for House District 100
Kansas has struggled for years to break free of the stranglehold the Kansas GOP has put on common-sense solutions. Dan Hawkins, as Speaker of the House, has been relentless in blocking progress and prioritizing his own extremist, far right agenda for Kansas.
My name is Mike McCorkle and I am running for House District 100 in west Wichita to unseat Dan Hawkins as Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives for ALL Kansans!
Mike McCorkle, Democratic candidate for House 100
Wichita is my hometown. I grew up in a supportive family household during the 60s & 70s. I had a happy childhood, participating in Junior Achievement and Explorer Scouts. My father's example taught me a strong work ethic, which has served me well. After high school, I enlisted in the Army and volunteered for Operation Desert Storm, for which I was awarded the Bronze Star.
After leaving the military, I lived and worked abroad for 25 years, but visited my family every year. In 2019, I returned to Wichita to look after my parents. Reconnecting with my hometown, I have served on several boards, including the Wichita Veteran's Memorial Park board and ICT Trees.
I believe voting is important, and I am running for elected office to honor the oath I took in the military to protect and defend our Constitutional Democracy. I have been involved in our local democracy since returning to help build a more progressive Kansas by helping other candidates, building up the party, and organizing to train Precinct Committee Persons.
I have undertaken the challenge of unseating Dan Hawkins as House District 100 Representative with broad support building on 2022 experience because winning means unseating Hawkins as Speaker of the House - for ALL Kansans! Like all candidates at this time, we are actively raising money and recruiting volunteers.
You can help us win House 100 for all Kansans by volunteering and donating a few dollars today! This Tuesday (7/23) we are having a fundraiser at Rolling Hills Country Club 5-7pm and encourage all who wish to help unseat Hawkins for ALL Kansans to attend and donate. If you cannot attend but would like to donate, that would also be great! Every dollar helps us reach more House 100 voters!
Three central issues frame our campaign:
REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM
I advocate for reproductive freedom as an essential right for all women in Kansas. Despite extremist attempts to ban abortion in Kansas, our state constitution affirms this fundamental right of bodily autonomy. I have actively defended these rights in Washington DC (1992) and for Vote NO (2022) and will always stand with Kansas women because women's rights are human rights. The fight for reproductive freedom continues as my opponent persists in supporting legislative efforts to limit abortion rights for Kansas women. We are also organizing a 2nd Anniversary Vote No Victory Celebration to remind voters of my commitment to protecting Kansas women's rights!
MEDICAID EXPANSION
Long overdue for Kansas. Medicaid expansion will reduce overall healthcare costs for all Kansans, save rural hospitals, and help the working poor. To Block Medicaid expansion as my opponent has done is simply immoral and a clear conflict of interest which has cost Kansas billions and caused the closure of 10 rural hospitals since 2014.
SCHOOL FUNDING
Education is the simplest way to strengthen our state’s economy and quality of life for everyone. Kansas children deserve high quality education to deal with the challenges that we all face in an ever-changing world where competition is global. When legislative leaders in Topeka favor policies that strip funding from our public schools, budget shortfalls and school closures are the consequences. Kansans deserve better. Funding Kansas schools has been a problem since the failed Brownback tax experiment, and Kansas schools, teachers, and students have suffered as a result. My opponent was elected as a Brownback supporter and has voted against increased public-school funding despite his rhetoric saying otherwise. Our public schools need increased funding – especially special education, and I will fight for that because it is the right thing to do for all Kansas children who represent our future.
This is why I am working with my team to change the direction of Kansas politics by winning House 100 and unseating Speaker Hawkins - For ALL Kansans!
Map of House District 100, West Wichita
For an opportunity to meet Mike and learn more about his race, he will host a Meet-and-Greet on July 23rd
Meet and Greet at Rolling Hills Country Club, 5 to 7 pm on Tuesday July 23
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