Sandy Pickert, a Wichita Republican, is trying to keep a House seat she narrowly won in the last election. She is facing public school employee Veronica Gillette.
Republicans have won this seat twice in the last five elections.
Election Day is Nov. 5. Oct. 15 is the last day to register to vote. Early voting starts Oct. 16. You can find your polling place and the races you vote in here.
Who are the candidates in Kansas House District 88?
Democrat Veronica Gillette
Veronica Gillette was born and raised in Wichita. She’s a Realtor and spent the last decade working in the Native American education program with Wichita Public Schools.
She’s volunteered with the Native American Community Resource Coalition and the W/ (a young professionals service group) through the Wichita Chamber of Commerce. Gillette serves on the diversity, equity and inclusion committee with the Realtors of South Central Kansas and Wichita’s Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights Advisory Board. She was the chair of that advisory board until stepping down to run for office.
“With my careers and community roles, I’ve aimed to bridge gaps and foster unity and my motives have been centered on responding to the needs of those around me,” she said.
Gillette is endorsed by the Kansas branch of the AFL-CIO, the Cannabis Justice Coalition-Kansas, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes and Game On for Kansas Schools.
Her campaign website is here.
Republican Sandy Pickert (Incumbent)
Pickert flipped this House seat with 50.96% of the vote in 2022. She’s a retired nurse who spent 49 years in the industry.
She serves on the Water, Child Welfare and Foster Care, Welfare Reform and General Government Budget committees.
“My career in nursing taught me a lot about listening, caring, and problem solving,” according to her campaign website. “You can count on me to put those skills to use in Topeka for you as we work together to tackle the cost-of-living issues that are hitting us hard — fuel, food, and taxes.”
She’s endorsed by Americans for Prosperity Kansas, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, NFIB-Kansas, the Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Family Voice and the Kansas Rifle Association.
Her campaign website is here.
If elected, which of these politicians would you most closely resemble: Joe
Biden, Sharice Davids, Bob Dole, Nancy Kassebaum, Laura Kelly, Roger Marshall, Jerry Moran, Donald Trump or someone else?
Gillette: (A) combo of Laura Kelly and Sharice Davids. Their leadership has paved the way for women like me to find the courage and inspiration to run for office.
Pickert: Pickert didn’t answer the questionnaire.
If you could pass any bill, what would it be and why?
Gillette: Legalizing marijuana would bring numerous benefits to Kansas. Kansans who suffer from a variety of conditions should have the option to use marijuana for medicinal use outside of pharmaceuticals. Legalization would create an increase in job growth and the tax revenue generated from legalization could be used on public schools, investing in infrastructure, adding to rainy day funds, public health campaigns and more. Kansas would also see reduced costs associated with policing, prosecuting and incarcerating individuals for marijuana-related offenses.
Pickert: Pickert sponsored the Born Alive Infants Protection Act. This law requires doctors to give medical care to babies delivered alive after an abortion. Supporters pushed for this law because they believe medical providers leave children to die if they survive an abortion. It is a felony for doctors to not provide care to these infants.
She’s also proposed a ban on smoking on the gaming floor at lottery facilities and requiring health insurance companies to pay for diagnostic breast exams to save Kansans money.
What are your priorities for office?
Gillette: Gillette supports abortion access.
“Politicians should not supersede medical professionals or dictate decisions regarding women’s health care,” she said. “I will advocate for women’s equality and guarantee that every woman has the autonomy and freedom to make the best decisions for herself and her family, regardless of her circumstances.”
She didn’t say whether she’d vote against a ban on gender-affirming care, but she did tell KSN that she wants Kansas to let people live freely and authentically.
“I value the principles of equality, dignity, and respect for all of Kansas’ residents, including those who identify as LGBTQ+. Upholding the rights and addressing the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community is not only a matter of justice but also a reflection of our commitment to creating a society where everyone can live freely and authentically.”
Pickert: Pickert has voted for bans on gender-affirming care, for bans on transgender women in women’s sports and for Republican-led flat tax plans.
She has voted against bans on three-day grace periods for mail ballots. Her website lists lowering inflation, supporting police to keep streets safe and helping small businesses as key priorities.
