Democrat Chad Taylor must stay on the ballot, because Kris Kobach says so. Kobach, who is probably best known for his authorship of the odious Arizona "papers please" law, made that declaration earlier today.
Taylor contacted the Secretary of State's office before he submitted his letter of withdrawal, to make sure he had met all the requirements. According to Taylor, he was told that he had. Until Kobach intervened, anyway.
“I specifically asked Mr. Bryant if the letter contained all the information necessary to remove my name from the ballot. Mr. Bryant said, ‘Yes,’ affirming to me, and my campaign manager, that the letter was sufficient to withdraw my name from the ballot,” Taylor said in a statement.
Taylor accused Kobach of acting on behalf of the Roberts campaign.
Polls show weak support for Roberts, but he has maintained a lead with Taylor and Orman splitting the bulk of the remaining vote.
Kobach said Kansas law requires that candidates who want to be removed from the ballot submit a formal letter and also declare themselves “incapable of fulfilling the duties of office if elected.”
I'd be willing to bet Kobach wouldn't have cared if Taylor's withdrawal had benefitted the Republican.
Meanwhile, Taylor's withdrawal has national Republicans concerned enough to step in, since Pat Roberts is running such a lackluster campaign.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is sending Chris LaCivita, who has served as a political troubleshooter in past Republican campaigns, to counsel Mr. Roberts and help oversee his campaign. The committee will also seek to hire a local lawyer in any legal challenge against Mr. Taylor, who had tried to drop off the ballot on the last day candidates were allowed to do so.
LaCivita was a key player in the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth campaign, and served as Todd Akin's advisor in 2012. I'm sure he'll light things right up. I wonder what the Kochs will bring to the party?
