Kansas House of Representatives District 76 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Kansas, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Kansas House of Representatives District 76 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Kansas House of Representatives District 76

Incumbent Eric Smith defeated Chuck Torres in the general election for Kansas House of Representatives District 76 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Eric Smith (R)	72.8	6,623
		Chuck Torres (D)	27.2	2,472

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,095
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Chuck Torres (D)

I am running to provide the people of the 76th district a choice. No one candidate should run unopposed in a healthy democracy. I will provide the people an alternative to the right wing path taken by opponent which does not reflect the real, common sense values of Kansans.

It is past time to expand Medicaid to working Kansans. Expansion of Medicaid will improve the health outcomes of the working Kansans, provide a healthier workforce and economically benefit the rural hospitals and clinics in Kansas. Eric Smith is on record of stating he will never vote to expand Medicaid.

The People of Kansas have spoken decisively by voting no to the Value Them Both Amendment. It is important that a Representative of the people, honor their voice and not introduce or support any further legislation to restrict the Privacy and Freedom of Women to make decisions about their reproductive health.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Chuck Torres (D)

I will work hard to help family farmers and ranchers compete into today's market. Farmers and Ranchers are struggling to compete against corporate monopolies. We need to level the playing field and prevent further monopolization by decentralizing control of our food, curb the undue economic power of multinational agribusiness corporations that aim to replace family farms with industrial family farms, strengthen and enforce antitrust laws, stop public taxpayer funding from corporate factory farms, restore supply management programs, grain reserves and price floors set at the cost of production, Ban meatpacker ownership of livestock and their use of captive supplies. A food system controlled by farmers and consumers, would not be putting multinational corporate profits over People, the environment and our national security. We should view pandemics and war as opportunities for corporations to get rich. In 2021, the U.S. imported 3.35 billion pounds of beef and 1.8 million live cattle. Kansas now has a budget surplus and a nearly $1 billion in a rainy day fund. If the current trend continues, we can consider lowering taxes for low and middle income Kansans.

Expanding Medicaid will inject a $ 1 billion dollars into the Kansas economy, create and retain jobs, and help rural hospitals such as Coffey Health System and Newman Regional Health in Emporia. Legalization of Medical Marijuana could help fund Education and Medicaid.

I will Protect the Vote! Fraud does not exist!

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Chuck Torres (D)

My mother, Jeanine Torres. She grew up in France during the Depression, lost her mother at 6 years of age, was raised in an orphanage, endured life during World War II. She persisted, married my father while he was stationed in France and was a wonderful mother to 8 children. Despite all her difficulties, she loved life, her children and was a happy, friendly person loved by the community.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Chuck Torres (D)

The Stand by Stephen King. I would be aligned with the people of Mother Abigail.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Chuck Torres (D)

Honesty, Integrity, Transparency, Good listening skills, politically centered, planning and assessing issues using fact and logic coupled with compassion.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Chuck Torres (D)

I am driven to succeed. I am hard-working, knowledgeable and personable. I am at my prime in regards to my maturity. I bring a life of experience as a Registered Nurse, husband, father of 3 successful children and a good citizen of my community. I have developed a level of persistence that helps overcome problems. I am friendly, compassionate, loving and nuturing. I work hard and celebrate hard when the work is done.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Chuck Torres (D)

Listen and communicate with constituents to make decisions that will benefit them and the state.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Chuck Torres (D)

The Kennedy assassination. I was 6 years old. It affected my family dramatically. We were Catholic and President Kennedy was worshiped in our household and Mexican-American community.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Chuck Torres (D)

Migrant children teacher's aide in Emporia, KS in the summer of 1973.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Chuck Torres (D)

The 20th Century Trilogy by Ken Follet. He brings history to life through his characters and provides important insight into major events of history. You must study history or history will repeat itself. He makes history enjoyable to read. Also, The Stand, by Stephen King. We are confronting a group of people who would readily identify with Randall Flagg. I am a follower of Mother Abigail.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Chuck Torres (D)

Superman. He was for truth, justice and the American way!

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Chuck Torres (D)

I Won't Back Down by Tom Petty

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Chuck Torres (D)

At the present time, we have a Governor that has lead our state to fiscal soundness and helped create a budget surplus. My relationship with the Governor, will be collaborative and supportive. It will depend on the outcome of the 2022 election. If the elected Governor proposes measures that will benefit a minority of Kansans, at the expense of most Kansans, then my relationship may be adversarial, doing what is needed to prevent harm to the state and it's citizens.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Chuck Torres (D)

The biggest challenge will be to expand Medicaid to working Kansans in the short-term. We have allowed the Federal Government to keep over $5 billion dollars of our tax money, since 2014, that could be used to provide health insurance to working Kansans. Expanding Medicaid would inject billions of dollars into the Kansas economy, create and retain jobs, and create a healthier workforce. Employers who are unable to provide health insurance to their employees would be able to keep their businesses open and running.

Keeping public schools fully funded will benefit the rural communities in the 76th district. Public schools in the district are the glue that holds the community together and provides economic benefits. Family farmers and ranchers are currently facing hard times across the nation and in Kansas. We must level the playing field and prevent a Corporate Agricultural takeover which would harm farmers and ranchers, close more family farms and present a security risk to our nation. Lowering taxes to working Kansans and making them more equitable and fair will help our state prosper further. If we continue to exceed revenue expectations, then we should find a way to return tax money to working Kansans. Maintaining fiscal responsibility and using our budget surplus responsibly must be a priority to ensure a bright future for the people of Kansas. All of our neighboring states have legalized marijuana for recreational or medical use or have decriminalized possession. It is time for Kansas to legalize Medical Marijuana, at the least. I would support legalization of recreational marijuana. The state of Missouri has legislation in November 2022 to vote legalize recreational marijuana. It is expected to pass. We are currently losing revenue to these surrounding states. The regulation and taxation of recreational marijuana will increase tax revenue to the state which could be used to fund Medicaid expansion and fund public schools.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Chuck Torres (D)

A unicameral state legislature seems to be working well in Nebraska, the only state in the nation to have a unicameral legislature. One advantage of a unicameral legislature is that it is democratic. Also, unicameral legislature does not allow filibusters to carry out their nefarious activities as they do when there is a two chamber legislature.Unicameral legislature is easy to maintain, that is, it is cheaper to run than bicameral legislature, since there is no second chamber to maintain.

Unicameral legislature is also known to be ideal for unitary states. In a bicameral legislature, some form of rivalry is present and unavoidable as the two chambers struggle for superiority

The drawback seems to be that a unicameral legislature may be unable to handle all the issues facing them. A unicameral legislature does not make room for adequate and equal representation. It creates the potential for the emergence of a dictatorial head of state because it does not check excesses as well as a bicameral legislature. Another disadvantage of a unicameral legislature is that the members of the chamber can be unduly influenced. Unicameral legislatures do not allow bills to be properly debated and may be hastily passed. passed. In a unicameral legislature, it is only one chamber that does all the work. There is no opportunity for assistance from a second chamber.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Chuck Torres (D)

No, I don't! If this were the case then our government would lock out people who have leadership and talent skills honed in their respective professional fields. It would lead to a monopoly by a certain ideology and limit creativity and the introduction of new ideas that would benefit the people.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Chuck Torres (D)

Of course.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Chuck Torres (D)

I would favor allowing an independent, non-partisan entity to create district lines. This would help prevent the obvious gerrymandering that occurred on our state this year.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Chuck Torres (D)

Heathcare, Agriculture, Ways and Means.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Chuck Torres (D)

Governor Laura Kelly

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Chuck Torres (D)

At this time, no.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Chuck Torres (D)

In my door to door campaigning, citizens are unanimously in agreement with Medicaid Expansion, keeping education fully funded and maintaining current policies that have lead to a fully funded state budget.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Chuck Torres (D)

An older couple goes to the state fair every year. This year, thiere are helicopter rides for $50. The husband says to the wife, let's take a ride! The wife hesitates because of the cost. She says, "50 bucks is a lot of money, you know, 50 bucks is 50 bucks. The husband gives up. The next year, the helicopter rides are there again. The husband says, "come on, let's do it this time'. The wife again says no, " 50 bucks is 50 bucks. No ride. The following year the husband tries again only to be met with the same answer. The man providing the rides hears them and tells them he will give them a ride for free on the condition they don't utter a sound during the ride. Finally, the wife agrees. The pilot takes them up and does dives, stunts, and loops. Not a sound. They land, the pilot turns around and is sturnned to see the wife is not in the chopper. He asks the husband what happened and why he didn;t say anything! The husband answers,"50 bucks is 50 bucks"

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Chuck Torres (D)

Yes.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Chuck Torres (D)

I do believe compromise is necessary. Listening to both sides of an issue is important for making the correct decision that will benefit the people. I will not be in office to serve my needs but the needs of the people.

See also

More about these elections:

• Kansas House of Representatives elections, 2022

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