Fourteen votes. The Kansas Senate will need that many votes to prevent Gov. Sam Brownback and the Legislature’s newly empowered conservative majority from moving forward with constitutional amendments which could profoundly damage the state’s character.

The moderate Republican contingent that had acted as a check on misguided and even dangerous ideas was decimated in the August primaries. Conservative groups spent big to purge lawmakers who might stand in the way of Brownback and more extreme members of their own party.

Come January, Kansans can expect to see the governor and his legislative allies quickly roll out measures to control the selection of judges, further curb abortion rights, marginalize immigrants and alter the school financing formula.

Some of those changes would require amending the state constitution. A two-thirds majority of both the Senate and House is required to refer constitutional amendments to a statewide ballot. That means 14 votes are needed to block measures such as enabling the governor to select Supreme Court judges, and changing the definition of “suitable provisions” needed to finance the state’s public schools.

Ten Senate seats are contested in Johnson and Wyandotte counties. With nearly all moderate Republicans eliminated from the running, the best hope for placing roadblocks in front of the worst aspects of Brownback’s agenda lies with Democrats.

Fortunately, the Democratic field this year includes smart, ambitious candidates who could provide a foundation for a rejuvenated party and a less lopsided state government.

As opposed to the Kansas House races, where we in some cases favor Republican candidates, The Star this year is recommending Democratic candidates for all contested Senate races.

Advance voting by mail begins Wednesday.


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