Democrats: Plenty of time to find right candidates

Looking back, there were signs that Democratic incumbent Dennis Moore probably would not seek a seventh term: a decrease in fundraising efforts; a reduction in public appearances; no town hall meetings; and the simple fact he appeared tired.

When he finally made the announcement Nov. 23, did that leave Democrats scrambling to find a replacement?

Not really, said Larry Gates, Kansas Democratic Party chair.

“I didn’t know it was going to happen; I thought he might do this one more time,” Gates said. “I certainly didn’t think that this (race) was going to be an opening this year, but I think he gave us plenty of time; it’s a year away and these campaigns are way too long anyway.

“But, having said that, we don’t have six months to decide, we have less than that – that’s for sure.”

Gates said he feels confident a qualified person, perhaps several people, will step up and declare their candidacies for the 3rd District seat.

“There are a number of people over the years who have said they would have an interest in running after Dennis retires,” he said. “I have a list I’ve started to compile, but I’m not out there recruiting anybody. I’m going to let them take it at their own pace; we’ve got a little time to be reflective and thoughtful about what to do next.

“In a few weeks from now, if there hasn’t been some movement, I will become a recruiter again, but I’m just not doing that yet because I think there’s a good chance we could have a possibility of a primary ourselves. There are some good folks who have thought about it, I know.”

Realistically, Gates said it would be better if the Democrats could rally around one candidate and avoid spending money in a primary election.

“As a state chairman and as someone who has observed this stuff for years, it’s always better to find consensus without a primary,” he said. “But on the other hand, that’s what we do, this is a democracy and if there are people who want to compete, they compete.

“Primaries have their purposes, too. They hone the campaign up a little bit and get the candidate ready to work harder and you find out where your volunteers are reliable and where they are not; there are a lot of good things that happen out of primaries.

“But from my perspective, I would like to avoid that. You’re certainly better off coming out of the first Tuesday in August with your fundraising proceeds still intact and ready to take on the general election.”

Several names have emerged as possible candidates: Joe Reardon, Carol Marinovich, Neil Sader, Bill Roy Jr., Mike Slattery, and even Gates himself, which he said will not happen.

Some have even raised the possibility of Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson being a candidate. Parkinson, a Republican-turned-Democrat, was elected lieutenant governor under Kathleen Sebelius in 2006. He became governor when Sebelius left earlier this year to become Health and Human Services Secretary in President Obama’s administration.

Parkinson said he would not run for governor in 2010 because he wanted to return to the private sector. Gates said he does not think Parkinson will change his mind and run for the 3rd District seat.

“I have not talked to Mark at all,” he said. “But I sincerely and totally doubt (he will run for Congress).”

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