Kansas incumbent faces far-left challenge from self-described communist in Democratic primary

LAWRENCE — The Democratic primary for a Lawrence House seat features two candidates who offer different visions for representing one of Kansas’ most progressive legislative districts.

Rep. Suzanne Wikle was first elected two years ago and has served on legislative committees on health and human services, insurance and financial institutions and pensions. She says her expertise lies in being a strong voice for children and families.

T.J. Campsey has positioned himself as a candidate outside of the status quo. He has a background as a local political activist, lobbyist and brewer at Free State Brewery. He said his 20 years of experience in lobbying and organizing will be valuable if elected.

He also identifies as a communist.

“The reason I use that label is because I want to defend and expand our democratic rights so that the working class majority can have more power,” Campsey said. “I think that the best way to really advocate and get more power is by expanding our democratic rights and our labor rights.”

Campsey’s socialist platform is part of a national movement among candidates on the left who have challenged traditional Democrats in recent elections.

“Traditional Democrats are growing more out of touch with the base every year,” Campsey said. “The working class is struggling, and traditional Democrats don’t have answers for us.  Socialists are winning because we are part of the working class and are struggling alongside our class. More people are considering socialism because we have answers.”

Wikle said she has consistently opposed GOP policies she views as extreme and rejected criticism from Campsey that she has found common ground with Republicans in ways that benefit extremists.

In a news release announcing his campaign in April, Campsey said his opponent “gives ground to fascists.” He said he believes in the working class, not the “Epstein class,” and will not take money from insurance companies, special interests or any other corporate PAC.

Wikle said his claims are baseless.

“I don’t have any record of ever receiving a communication from him as a constituent. I really don’t think he’s informed about the work that I’m doing in Topeka,” Wikle said. “If you go ask my colleagues, they will tell you that I am one of the strongest voices pushing back on GOP extremism. Like any good legislator, when there’s common ground, you find it.”

In a recent interview, Campsey said he didn’t remember claiming she “gives ground to fascists.”

“I don’t think she’s finding common ground with fascists,” Campsey said. “The failure to stand up to the MAGA regime, I think that we can do better. We need to fight more against the extreme right.”

Wikle is backed by House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard, as well as Gov. Laura Kelly, former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and other Lawrence and Douglas County politicians. Wikle also received a perfect score from the Kansas AFL-CIO for voting with workers.

Campsey has been endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 226 and Teamsters Local 696.

In her first term in the House, Wikle said her biggest achievements were pushing for Medicaid expansion, regulation of insurance companies, affordable child care and the No Kids Hungry in School Act.

“I’m most proud of being a strong voice for families and children in the Legislature,” Wikle said. “My entire career has been dedicated to advancing progressive policies that try to ensure everyone has affordable healthcare, a strong education, and that the economic system and the tax system works for people other than businesses and corporations.”

Campsey said his priorities if elected would be KanCare, or Medicaid, for all and creating a Democratic Bill of Rights — both of which he recognizes as “lofty goals.”

“It’s going to take a broad multiracial, multigenerational, working-class coalition to come together to get things like KanCare for all passed, to get a Democratic Bill of Rights passed,” Campsey said. “That organizing experience is going to help me when I’m going and making this appeal to working-class people in rural districts.”

Campsey’s idea for a Democratic Bill of Rights would include restrictions on gerrymandering and creating a labor bill of rights to protect workers’ right to strike and organize unions, he said.

“Special interests don’t sleep,” Campsey said. “Our government serves the wealthy and well connected, not the people. That stops now.”

Wikle said one of her priorities would be strengthening Kansas public schools going into a year where a new school finance formula will be created. She said as a parent of two children in Kansas public schools, she sees the challenges parents face that can be addressed by the Legislature.

“There are very few legislators that actually have children in public schools. I think that’s a really important voice,” Wikle said. “There is so much more we can be doing to help families afford the care that they need for their children while they are in the workforce.”