State of Kansas Archives: on Crime
Barbara Bollier:
Supports the Justice in Policing Act
Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?Barbara Bollier: Yes. Supports the Justice in Policing Act. Against defunding police but supports reforms to "help end inequities in our systems that harm communities of color."
Roger Marshall: No. "I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that the police have everything that they need to protect property and life."
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Kansas Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
Barry Grissom:
Clean up gang activity; target child sex offenders
As the former U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, Barry Grissom worked with law enforcement and civil rights advocates to improve community relations, founded Kansas's first Human Trafficking Working Group, helped clean up gang activity, oversaw
Kansas's Project Safe Childhood program targeting child sex offenders and led the charge among federal authorities to break up a dogfighting ring responsible for capturing and abusing over 400 pit bulls.
Source: KWCH TV-12-CBS on 2020 Kansas Senate race
Oct 17, 2019
Carl Brewer:
Ensure safety with adequate funding and staffing
Adequate staffing of our prisons is essential to the effectiveness of our criminal justice system. Our courts must have the resources to dispense justice in a fair and timely manner.
Our Highway Patrol must be properly staffed to meet the expectations of our traveling public. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation needs critical resources to support local law enforcement in criminal investigations.
Source: 2018 Kansas Gubernatorial website BrewerForKansas.com2018 K
Sep 15, 2017
Chase LaPorte:
I believe in maintaining a strong National Guard presence
As an Army veteran and a former corrections officer and volunteer firefighter, I understand the importance of law enforcement as the first line of defense in protecting our communities and maintaining civility and order.
Additionally, in these uncertain times, I believe in maintaining a strong National Guard presence.
Source: 2022 Kansas Governor campaign website LaPorte4KSgov.com
Jun 24, 2022
Derek Schmidt:
Backed the honorable men and women in law enforcement
As Kansas' attorney general and chief law enforcement officer, Derek has made it his mission to serve and protect Kansas citizens--especially the most vulnerable. He's stopped scam artists and abusers from preying on seniors,
prosecuted crimes against children, and backed the honorable men and women in law enforcement. He has recovered record-setting amounts of money for Kansas consumers and taxpayers, and has stood strong against federal overreach.
Source: 2021 Kansas Governor campaign website SchmidtForKansas.com
May 23, 2021
Jeff Colyer:
Caitlin's Law: strengthen penalties for repeat DUI offenders
Governor Jeff Colyer today signed HB 2439, also known as "Caitlin's Law" into law, joined by members of the Vogel family. The legislation is named for Caitlin Vogel who was tragically killed in 2016 by a repeat offender drunk driver in Johnson County.
"What happened to Caitlin was a terrible but preventable tragedy and we must do whatever we can as a government to try and prevent such deaths from happening in the future" said Governor Colyer.
The bill, which passed both legislative chambers unanimously, strengthens penalties for repeat DUI offenders who kill or seriously injure others.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House, 122-0-3 on Jan 26, 2018; passed Senate, 39-0-1 on Feb 21, 2018; signed into Law by Gov. Colyer, Mar 9, 2018
Source: Press release on Kansas legislative voting record HB 2439
Mar 9, 2018
Joan Farr:
Stricter punishment reduces crime
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stricter punishment reduces crime"?
A: SUPPORT
Source: OnTheIssues.org interview on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Dec 10, 2021
Kris Kobach:
Supports death penalty and mandatory minimums
Kobach supports the following principles regarding crime.- Support the use of the death penalty for federal crimes.
- Impose "truth in sentencing" for violent criminals so they serve full sentences with no chance of parole.
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Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
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Support programs to provide prison inmates with drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
- Support additional criminal penalties if a fetus is killed in the commission of a federal crime against a pregnant woman.
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Support programs that provide job training and placement services for at-risk youth.
- Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
Source: 2004 Kansas Congressional National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2004
Randall Batson:
Eliminate mandatory minimums; balance with rehabilitation
Jails/Prisons: In our jails and prisons new directives are a must. Equilibrium is necessary between rehabilitation, retribution, skill training, and discipline within the penal system.
Abuse of inmates shall not be tolerated. In judicial sentencing guidelines, elimination of mandatory minimums is necessary.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign site batson4senate.weebly.com
Aug 31, 2014
Randall Batson:
Strongly opposes stricter punishment to reduce crime
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stricter punishment reduces crime"?
A: Strongly Oppose.
Source: Email interview on Kansas 2014 Senate race with OnTheIssues
Sep 19, 2014
Roger Marshall:
Protests okay, but we have to be a land of law and order
Certainly I'm in favor of peaceful protest: it's our constitutional right to do that, but we have to be a land of law and order, we have to protect people's lives and property, and looting and rioting and vandalism is wrong, so whatever we need to do
to calm the riots needs to happen. If we need to call up the National Guard, let's call them out, but so far--Kansas? Pretty stable [on Black Lives Matter]. I know we had a couple of little flare ups but I think we're going in the right direction.
Source: The Pittsburg Morning Sun on 2020 Kansas Senate race
Jun 4, 2020
Roger Marshall:
Racism is wrong, but condemn defunding the police
Q: Is racism a threat to domestic security?A: Any act of racism is wrong, and violent acts of racism are certainly threats to potential victims. I stand against racism in any form, and pray that our country can heal the racial and socioeconomic
wounds that divide us. I was proud to support the first major criminal justice reform bill in a generation, and support Pres. Trump's executive order that will improve policing. I condemn the violent riots and Democrats' effort to defund the police.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Kansas Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Laura Kelly:
End statute of limitations for cases of child sexual abuse
Gov. Laura Kelly joined activists and legislators Thursday who reflected on a four-year journey to adoption of a Kansas law ending the statute of limitations on criminal prosecution for alleged child sexual abuse and extending opportunity to file
lawsuits in those cases. "It goes to show this is an issue that transcends partisan politics," Kelly said. "This will help get child predators off the streets, make our communities safer and protect other children from becoming victims."
Source: The Lawrence Times on 2026 Kansas Gubernatorial race
May 26, 2023
Roger Marshall:
Proposes harsher penalties for burning American flag
[On flag-burning]: "While the First Amendment safeguards free expression, it does not shield those who commit federal crimes. Burning the flag as part of such lawlessness, especially when it endangers lives or property, warrants a harsher penalty,
as it compounds the offense with a deliberate affront to our nation's symbol," said Senator Marshall. "I am proud to join Senator Hawley in introducing this commonsense legislation that protects the vital symbols that unite us all."
Source: KNSS (Audacy.com), "Flag," on 2026 Kansas Senate race
Jun 13, 2025
Ty Masterson:
Back tough on crime policies; ensure we fund our police
STAND WITH THE LAW. NOT THE LAWBREAKERS: Kansans expect safe communities. But right now, we rank behind liberal crime havens like New York for violent crime. It's unacceptable. In the Legislature, I helped increase our public safety
budget by 24% over the last five years to meet law enforcement's needs. But we still have work to do. I will stand with the men and women in law enforcement, back tough on crime policies, and ensure we fund our police.
Source: 2026 Kansas Governor campaign site MastersonForGovernor.com
Dec 15, 2025
Laura Kelly:
Abolish the state's death penalty
Kelly said she advocated for the abolition of the state's death penalty, which has not been used since 1994, arguing it cost the state "millions" by housing individuals on death row when life without parole would accomplish similar aims. On the other
hand, Schmidt said seeking the death penalty was appropriate in some circumstances and emphasized his experience with the families of crime victims.
Kelly also touted increased funding for law enforcement that took place under her watch.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Oct 5, 2022
Derek Schmidt:
Death penalty appropriate in some circumstances
Kelly said she advocated for the abolition of the state's death penalty, which has not been used since 1994, arguing it cost the state "millions" by housing individuals on death row when life without parole would accomplish similar aims. On the other
hand, Schmidt said seeking the death penalty was appropriate in some circumstances and emphasized his experience with the families of crime victims.
Kelly also touted increased funding for law enforcement that took place under her watch.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Oct 5, 2022
Cindy Holscher:
Caitlin's Law: strengthen penalties for repeat DUI offenders
Governor Jeff Colyer today signed HB 2439, also known as "Caitlin's Law" into law, joined by members of the Vogel family. The legislation is named for Caitlin Vogel who was tragically killed in 2016 by a repeat offender drunk driver in Johnson County.
"What happened to Caitlin was a terrible but preventable tragedy and we must do whatever we can as a government to try and prevent such deaths from happening in the future" said Governor Colyer.
The bill, which passed both legislative chambers unanimously, strengthens penalties for repeat DUI offenders who kill or seriously injure others.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House, 122-0-3 on Jan 26, 2018; State Rep. Cindy Holscher voted YES; passed Senate, 39-0-1 on Feb 21, 2018; signed into Law by Gov. Colyer, Mar 9, 2018
Source: Press release on Kansas legislative voting record HB 2439
Jan 26, 2018
Ty Masterson:
Caitlin's Law: strengthen penalties for repeat DUI offenders
Governor Jeff Colyer today signed HB 2439, also known as "Caitlin's Law" into law, joined by members of the Vogel family. The legislation is named for Caitlin Vogel who was tragically killed in 2016 by a repeat offender drunk driver in Johnson County.
"What happened to Caitlin was a terrible but preventable tragedy and we must do whatever we can as a government to try and prevent such deaths from happening in the future" said Governor Colyer.
The bill, which passed both legislative chambers unanimously, strengthens penalties for repeat DUI offenders who kill or seriously injure others.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House, 122-0-3 on Jan 26, 2018; passed Senate, 39-0-1 on Feb 21, 2018; State Sen. Ty Masterson voted YES; signed into Law by Gov. Colyer, Mar 9, 2018
Source: Press release on Kansas legislative voting record HB 2439
Feb 21, 2018
Vicki Schmidt:
Caitlin's Law: strengthen penalties for repeat DUI offenders
Governor Jeff Colyer today signed HB 2439, also known as "Caitlin's Law" into law, joined by members of the Vogel family. The legislation is named for Caitlin Vogel who was tragically killed in 2016 by a repeat offender drunk driver in Johnson County.
"What happened to Caitlin was a terrible but preventable tragedy and we must do whatever we can as a government to try and prevent such deaths from happening in the future" said Governor Colyer.
The bill, which passed both legislative chambers unanimously, strengthens penalties for repeat DUI offenders who kill or seriously injure others.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed House, 122-0-3 on Jan 26, 2018; passed Senate, 39-0-1 on Feb 21, 2018; State Sen. Vicki Schmidt voted YES; signed into Law by Gov. Colyer, Mar 9, 2018
Source: Press release on Kansas legislative voting record HB 2439
Feb 21, 2018
Patrick Schmidt:
Condemned pardons of Jan. 6 insurrectionists
I authored and introduced a resolution to condemn the pardons and have spoken out to ensure that, even though pardoned of criminal liability, the perpetrators of such heinous acts, would still be remembered for their actions.
We must not avert our eyes from the tragic history of that day and we can never forget the lives that were lost nor the continuing trauma the victims continue to suffer to this day.
Source: Schmidt in Topeka Capital-Journal on 2026 Kansas Senate race
Feb 2, 2025
Patrick Schmidt:
Condemned pardon of Jan. 6 rioters convicted of violence
Kansas Sen. Patrick Schmidt is one of five senators sponsoring a resolution condemning President Donald Trump's pardoning of Jan. 6 rioters convicted of violent crimes. "I don't think that this really should be a partisan issue,"
Schmidt said. "You had people that stole officers' service weapons, you had people that tasered law enforcement officers, you had, I think, almost 200 people with guns."
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2026 Kansas Senate race
Jan 23, 2025
Cindy Holscher:
No statute of limitations on corrupt police sexual violence
One of my very first bills was rooted in Kansas City, Kansas. It was a bill connected to the Roger Golubski case. He was a corrupt police detective who had been violating women in minority neighborhoods.I worked for four years on the
Statute of Limitations Reform for survivors of sexual violence. That was a bill I brought forward that nobody wanted to work on because of the sensitivity of the topic, but I worked on it, and then ultimately it passed unanimously.
That was a very big effort.
Because of a loophole, victims couldn't bring their cases forward. The bill I brought forward corrected that loophole.
I remember it made Newsweek, and the headline read "Cops can no longer have sex while on the job." That was the loophole we had.
Source: University Daily Kansan on 2026 Kansas Gubernatorial race
May 15, 2026
Page last updated: Oct 18, 2026