EudoraNews.com

The Congressional Third District Republican primary election will take place Tuesday, yet candidates are already focused on their Democratic challenger. Phill Kline, Gary Morsch and Greg Musil are fighting for the opportunity to contend with Dennis Moore during the statewide election Nov. 7.

Moore, who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1998, is one of few democrats who has won this seat. In fact, a Republican has claimed it for 92 of the past 100 years.

"It's very important because this is historically a Republican district," Morsch said. "This is one the Republicans know they can gain back.

"It's a battle ground."

The three Republican candidates are currently receiving equal support from the Republican Party. Morsch said he appreciates the party's unbiased efforts during the primary season.

After the primary, Morsch said the Republican candidate would receive complete backing from the party and its supporters.

This tactic speaks highly of the Republican Party, Kline said. For the first time in 52 years, he said this election brings the possibility to have a Republican president and Congress.

"I think that's good because our party stands for something," he said. "The main thing a campaign can be about is a battle of ideas."

Substantial tax relief and investment by families and small businesses are two platforms Kline said he would push in his campaign. He also said he believes the government should concentrate its efforts on special education and educational savings accounts.

Kline, who has served in the Kansas House of Representatives since 1992, practiced law for eight years and has co-hosted a political radio talk show. He said he has a proven record of legislative accomplishments.

"In Kansas, I offered several pieces of legislation that are becoming law," he said. "I'd be honored to be the United States Congressman and represent the people of the third district."

Morsch said his experience in health care and in more than 100 foreign countries would set him apart from the other candidates because health care is one of the countries toughest problems.

"There needs to be people in Congress that know the problems our country faces not only in suburbia," he said. "I'm a doctor and everyone else is an attorney.

"I have experience that they don't have experience in."

Morsch left his full-time medical practice in 1993 to concentrate on Heart to Heart International, a medical relief organization that he established.

Heart to Heart has provided more than $160 million in medical supplies and pharmaceuticals to people around the world.

Providing healthcare to every American, privatizing a portion of social security and education are three issues Morsch said he will push in the election.

"I'm not a career politician," he said. "I have the ability to build coalitions. I know how to pull people together."

Musil said he would focus on regulatory, tax, economic and pro-business and growth issues if elected as the republican candidate. He said social issues, which Moore has focused on in the past, tend to worry voters.

"With me he's got to focus on the tax cuts, regulatory relief and working people," Musil said.

Following a four-year service as the legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker (R-Kansas), Musil entered a private law practice in Overland Park. He has been a member of the Overland Park City Council for seven years, and he has served as a Republican National Convention delegate.

His experience with local legislation and experience in Washington as Kassebaum's assistant are two qualities Musil said would work in his favor.

He said he would also focus on public education, healthcare and social security.

"The reasonable and responsible republican that stands for opportunity is Greg Musil, and he's the one that will beat Dennis Moore," Musil said.