The list of Republican candidates running to become the next governor of Kansas continues to grow. Wichita businessman and former state Rep. Mark Hutton launched his campaign on Monday in Wichita.
Hutton spent most of his life growing his business, Hutton Construction. He entered state politics in 2012 and served two terms as the representative for District 105, which covers part of west Wichita.
Hutton says if elected governor, he will collaborate with state lawmakers early in the budget process and use performance-based budgeting tools to come up with a state spending plan.
"What we have to do is create a system and a process where we’re able to work together to prioritize where we’re going to spend the money," Hutton says.
He says he will also work to remove federal regulations that he says affect the growth of Kansas businesses.
"The small businesses have very limited capacities to deal with the minutiae of government, and when they’re doing that, it’s taking them away from really focusing on their business," he says.
Several dozen people and family members were there as Hutton launched his campaign at Yingling Aviation in Wichita Monday morning.
There are at least six other Republicans and five Democrats in the governor’s race. Several have statewide political experience.
Republican field:
- Former state senator, and 2006 gubernatorial nominee, Jim Barnett
- Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer
- Wichita businessman Wink Hartman
- Secretary of State Kris Kobach
- Leawood businessman Patrick Kucera
- Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer
- Prairie Village high school student Tyler Ruzich
Democratic field:
- Olathe physician Arden Andersen
- Wichita high school student Jack Bergeson
- Former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer
- Former state Agriculture Secretary Josh Svaty
- House Democratic Leader Jim Ward
--Follow Deborah Shaar on Twitter @deborahshaar.
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