KANSAS CITY, Mo. — 41 Action News wants to help you make an informed decision during the 2020 General Election on Nov. 3. We reached out to the campaigns for Kansas' 2nd Congressional District candidates. Here's where Democrat Michelle De La Isla stands on the issues.
Republican Jake LaTurner's campaign did not respond to 41 Action News' requests. We've compiled his answers to the best of our abilities based past statements and actions.
COVID-19
Governor Laura Kelly announced a requirement for people to wear masks in public. Do you believe wearing masks should be a requirement, recommendation or neither?
De La Isla: Requirement
LaTurner: According to The Morning Sun in Pittsburg, Kansas, Jake LaTurner said "he supports personal choice when it comes to wearing masks."
What role should federal officials play in the response to the COVID- 19 pandemic? Information only, guidelines only, mandatory requirements for businesses but not individuals, mandatory requirements for businesses and individuals (subject to policymaker approval), or none of the above?
De La Isla: Mandatory requirements for businesses and individuals (subject to policymaker approval). "Our response to this crisis will be the true measure of our humanity as a country. Thus far the Federal response has been erratic and unreliable. During times of crisis the Federal government must provide programs to support the economy, health, and operations of the community. State and municipal governments are more able to implement changes depending on the stage of the pandemic they are in, but they must be supported by national leaders. We must look to our leaders, and they must step up."
LaTurner: 41 Action News believes Jake LaTurner would answer "information only." According to The Morning Sun, Jake LaTurner said "he supported personal and parental choice on the issue of vaccination. He also said he supports personal choice when it comes to wearing masks."
Should locally owned small businesses receive a higher priority for CARES Act funding than publicly traded or multinational corporations?
De La Isla: Yes
LaTurner: Did not answer.
Do you believe Americans should receive a second $1,200 Economic Impact Payment, otherwise known as a stimulus check?
De La Isla: Yes
LaTurner: It is unclear how Jake LaTurner would answer this question. When asked about another COVID-19 recovery economic stimulus package, The Morning Sun reports Jake LaTurner responded, "We cannot spend our way into prosperity again.” The report adds, "Job losses due to the pandemic are a serious problem, he said, but people should not be making more on unemployment than they were when they were working."
Considering the pandemic, do you believe K-12 classrooms should reopen in the fall?
De La Isla: Yes, with a virtual option
LaTurner: Did not answer.
If students return to the classroom in fall 2020, do you believe they should be required to wear masks?
De La Isla: Yes
LaTurner: We believe Jake LaTurner would answer "no." According to The Morning Sun, Jake LaTurner said "he supports personal choice when it comes to wearing masks."
HEALTH CARE
Do you support the repeal of the Affordable Care Act?
De La Isla: No. "I want to make sure that every Kansan who wants healthcare gets healthcare without breaking the bank. The best way to achieve equal access to healthcare is to enhance the Affordable Care Act while allowing the health insurance industry to continue to provide private options. Every person should be free to choose between a fortified public option, or private, employer, or union - funded coverage – including those under age 65, and individuals with pre-existing conditions."
LaTurner: Did not answer.
ABORTION
Mark the mandates you support. Any mandate left unmarked will indicate you do not support it unless you check "Prefer not to answer." Some candidates provide additional comment below the chart.
| De La Isla | LaTurner | |
| Must be performed by a licensed physician | ||
| Must be performed in a hospital after a specified point in pregnancy | ||
| Gestational limits | ||
| State funding for abortions when the woman's life is in danger | ||
| State funding for abortions when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest | ||
| Coverage by private insurance | ||
| Individual health care providers can refuse to participate | ||
| Public institutions can refuse to perform abortions | ||
| Private or religious institutions can refuse to perform abortions | ||
| State-mandated counseling before an abortion | ||
| Waiting period between counseling and the procedure | ||
| Ban all abortions | ||
| Prefer not to answer | ✅ | |
| Did not provide answers | ✅ |
De La Isla: "Twice in my life I had to make a very difficult decision. Once to decide on being a homeless single mother and another, to decide if I would safeguard my life in my second trimester when I had serious pregnancy complications and was offered to terminate pregnancy. At that time, I talked to my doctor, my family and pastor and chose to have my children. That is a decision for a woman to make with her doctor, her family and her faith, no politician should have a voice in a medical procedure."
LaTurner: According Jake LaTurner's website, he said, "I will only vote for legislation that I am 100% confident will protect the unborn."
GUN CONTROL
Mark the mandates you support. Any mandate left unmarked will indicate you do not support it unless you check "Prefer not to answer." Some candidates provide additional comment below the chart.
| De La Isla | LaTurner | |
| Reporting mental health records to federal background check databases | ||
| Universal background checks | ||
| Gun safety training classes for concealed carry | ||
| Requiring a concealed carry permit | ||
| Right to carry confidentiality | ||
| Right to carry in restaurants | ||
| Gun dealer licensing | ||
| Firearm owner licensing | ||
| Firearm registration | ||
| Lost and stolen firearm reporting | ||
| Assault weapon ban | ||
| Restrictions on high-capacity magazines | ||
| Bulk firearm purchase restrictions | ||
| Waiting period | ||
| Local authority to regulate firearms and ammunition | ||
| Ammunition sale regulation | ||
| No gun control | ||
| Prefer not to answer | ✅ | |
| Did not provide answers | ✅ |
De La Isla: "I support the right of law-abiding citizens to own firearms under the 2nd Amendment. I am committed to working across the aisle to meaningfully reduce gun violence in Kansas and across the nation, including universal background checks, closing wait-time loop holes, and other measures to ensure that all persons who own and possess firearms do so safely, responsibly, and lawfully. I believe that if you want to own a gun you should be licensed to do so, just like I need a license to drive a car."
LaTurner: According Jake LaTurner's website, he said, "I will only vote for legislation that I am 100% confident will protect the unborn, our right to practice our faith freely, and the 2nd Amendment."
POLICING
Several U.S. cities are now discussing reallocating some police funding to other forms of public safety and community support, including to social services, mental health & addiction resources, housing, and health care. Do you support redirecting some funding from local law enforcement agencies to support other government agencies funded by local municipalities? Some candidates provide additional comment below the chart.
| De La Isla | LaTurner | |
| Yes, for mental health & addiction resources | ||
| Yes, for housing assistance | ||
| Yes, for health care | ||
| Yes, for education equity | ||
| Yes, for other community needs not listed | ||
| No | ||
| Prefer not to answer | ✅ | |
| Did not answer | ✅ |
De La Isla: "Since becoming mayor I have set up goals and benchmarks so we can track Topeka’s progress toward becoming a safer, more inclusive city for all members of our community, which includes the police force, I do not support defunding the Police. I’m proud of what we have achieved by working together."
LaTurner: Did not answer.
The Justice in Policing Act of 2020 could implement the following ways to reform policing and hold police officers accountable. Mark the mandates you support. Any mandate left unmarked will indicate you do not support it unless you check "Prefer not to answer." Some candidates provide additional comment below the chart.
| De La Isla | LaTurner | |
| Ban racial & religious profiling | ||
| Ban no knock warrants | ||
| Ban chokeholds | ||
| Mandate data collection on police encounters | ||
| Require body cameras | ||
| Limit military equipment used by police departments | ||
| Streamline federal law to prosecute excessive force | ||
| Establish independent prosecutors for police investigations | ||
| Prefer not to answer | ✅ | |
| Did not provide answers | ✅ |
De La Isla: No additional comment provided.
LaTurner: Did not answer.
LGBTQ RIGHTS
Do you believe the 1964 Civil Rights Act should protect gay, lesbian and transgender employees from discrimination based on sex?
De La Isla: Yes, with no exclusions. "I am a proud supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. Whether it’s a friend, family member, or constituent who has come out to me, I have found that the most valuable thing I can offer is the room to be themselves. Sometimes that means opening up my home and sometimes that means opening up my heart, but no matter who they are or where they come from it is important to me that they know I support them."
LaTurner: Did not answer.
Should federal law protect LGBTQ people from discrimination when it comes to health care and health insurance?
De La Isla: Yes
LaTurner: Did not answer.
IMMIGRATION
Mark the mandates you support. Any mandate left unmarked will indicate you do not support it unless you check "Prefer not to answer." Some candidates provide additional comment below the chart.
| De La Isla | LaTurner | |
| Repealing criminal penalties for people apprehended while crossing the border | ||
| Banning sanctuary cities | ||
| Extending the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border | ||
| Increasing funding for the U.S.-Mexico border | ||
| Eliminating the Visa lottery | ||
| Implementing a merit-based entry system | ||
| Creating a path to citizenship for the current undocumented immigrants in the U.S. | ||
| Eliminating family detention for asylum-seekers while their claims are being processed | ||
| Limiting family detention for asylum-seekers while their claims are being processed | ||
| Prefer not to answer | ✅ | |
| Did not provide answers | ✅ |
De La Isla: "We should simultaneously work on securing our borders and ensuring that immigrants without criminal records have access to work programs. Furthermore, we need to find a more humane way of managing families that have been detained. We need to figure out a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients. Every county in Kansas relies on hard-working immigrants who are an integral part of our local economies and communities."
LaTurner: Jake LaTurner supports building the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. His website says, "The safety and security of our nation will be among my top priorities and our men and women in uniform will have my total support. Like President Reagan, I support a “Peace Through Strength” approach to national defense. Protecting American interests abroad and at our borders is critical to a free and prosperous society."
Should undocumented immigrants be covered under a government-run health plan?
De La Isla: Prefer not to answer
LaTurner: Did not answer.
FINAL THOUGHTS
What is the most important issue of this election?
De La Isla: "The issues facing Kansas right now are complicated, we need to address our challenges by bringing all sides to the table and having thoughtful, fact based discussions. The most important issue facing Kansans right now is access to healthcare. I know first hand what it’s like to fight serious illness without health insurance or access to quality medical care, right now 150,000 Kansans fall through the gaps in our health insurance system. That is unacceptable. We must expand Medicaid so we can expand investment in local critical healthcare infrastructure, which our rural communities desperately need."
LaTurner: Did not answer.
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41 Action News is committed to providing comprehensive information on the 2020 primary and general elections with an emphasis on several key issues — the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic and race relations. Count on us to provide news and information to help you make an informed choice at the polls.