Democratic candidates descend on Pleasanton for annual picnic

By Roger Sims, Journal staff

linncountyjournal@icloud.com

The Linn County Democratic Party held its annual summer picnic on Saturday, July 18, at the Pleasanton Community Center. About 50 people attended the event.

Those attending were introduced to several candidates who will be on the Aug. 4 primary ballot. In addition to hearing a brief stump speech by each candidate, attendees also had the opportunity to talk with them one-on-one.

The candidates for federal offices included Don Coover, who is running for the U.S. House 2nd District seat from Kansas.

Of the 11 Democratic candidates who are running for the U.S. Senate seat, three attended Saturday’s event. Those attending were:

• Kevin Latz

• Erik Murray

• Noah Taylor

State Sen. Cindy Holscher, candidate for governor, was on hand. So were Jennifer Day, candidate for the Secretary of State office, and Heather Guernsey, candidate for the State Board of Education.

Prairie View's Danica Brake, left, and Jayhawk-Linn's Bertha Becerra Dominguez are two of the three winners of $500 scholarships awarded by the county party for 2026.

Former District Court Judge Richard Smith talked about the background of proposed changes to the state constitution Amendment 4 issue, which proposes changing the current system of choosing Kansas Supreme Court justices from being appointed to being elected for office. He noted several examples where the state was embroiled in scandal under the previous system and why the current system yielded a qualified, impartial court.

Also honored at the event were two of the three scholarship winners this year – Jayhawk-Linn graduate Bertha Becerra Dominguez and Prairie View graduate Danica Brake. Pleasanton recipient Ashlan George was not able to attend the event. The county Democrats award one senior from each high school a $500 scholarship each year.