Musil drops out of 3rd District race

Overland Park attorney Greg Musil has decided he will not seek the Republican nomination for the 3rd District Congressional that will be vacated by Democratic incumbent Dennis Moore.

 “After considering the effect this race would have on my family and career goals, I have concluded I do not have the absolute and complete passion I believe is required to take on a congressional race,” Musil said. “I have greatly appreciated the advice and counsel I have received regarding my candidacy from friends, the business community, and interested citizens, and their expressions of support. I explored this opportunity because I believe the time is right for a 3rd District Republican candidate who will represent this district and do so for multiple terms. I look forward to supporting a quality candidate who can do that.”

Musil said it is difficult to quantify the level of personal commitment, financial sacrifice, and loss of privacy a race for Congress requires, adding that today’s political environment, in the 3^rd District and nationally, is discouraging because it promotes ideology over common sense and too often focuses on divisive issues and labels that benefit both ends of the political spectrum in energizing activists and raising money, usually to the detriment of the ‘silent majority’ of Americans in the center.

“Ultimately, my decision was a personal one, and I have decided I value most my family and my ability to contribute locally to civic, charitable and professional growth,” Musil said.

Regarding the race for the Republican nomination, Musil declined to endorse any of those who have announced interest in the race.

“What is critical to winning and holding this seat and what will determine whether or whom I endorse, is the emergence of a middle-of-the-road, common sense, pro-business Republican who reflects the interests of the citizens of this District. Voters in the 3rd District deserve more than labels and rhetoric; they deserve leadership that seeks practical solutions to real problems facing our economy, schools and businesses. Whether my

party has the resolve to rally around such a candidate remains to be seen.”

Musil served on the Overland Park City Council from 1993-2001, and was elected by his fellow Council members as Council President in 1999 and 2000. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination to Congress in 2000. He is the immediate past chair of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Board of the Wyandotte Health Foundation and the Kansas Leadership Center.

Republican candidates who have officially declared their candidacy are: former State Sen. Nick Jordan who lost to Moore in the 2008 campaign; former State Rep. Patricia Lightner; John Rysavy, Daniel Gilyeat, and Thomas Scherer. All but Jordan have filed their candidacies with the Federal Election Commission although Jordan never terminated his campaign committee from the 2008 election.

Others who have expressed interest, “serious” and otherwise, are: State Rep. Pat Colloton; State Sen. Jeff Colyer; State Rep. and House Appropriations Chair Kevin Yoder; Johnson County Republican Party chair candidate Charlotte O’Hara; State Rep. Scott Schwab; and State Sen. Karin Brownlee.

Democrat names surfacing as possible candidates are: Joe Reardon, mayor of Kansas City, Kan.; Carol Marinovich, former mayor of KCK; Bill Roy, Jr., chair of the Johnson County Democratic Party; freshman State Rep. Mike Slattery; and local attorney Neil Sader who also is rumored to be considering running for 4^th District Johnson County Commission seat being vacated by Ed Eilert.

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