By KHI NEWS SERVICE
KHI News Service

TOPEKA — Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, a Republican, will endorse Democrat Dennis Anderson on Tuesday, according to a media release issued by Anderson’s campaign.

Anderson is seeking to succeed Praeger as the state’s insurance regulator. He’s running against Republican Ken Selzer, who emerged from a crowded field to capture the GOP nomination in the August primary.

The release issued Monday says that Anderson will “announce the newest endorsement of his campaign,” and goes on to say that both he and Praeger will be available to answer questions.

Praeger, a moderate Republican who bucked party leaders in supporting the federal health reform law, supported Sen. Clark Shultz, of McPherson, in the primary but said at the time that she might also endorse Anderson in the general election campaign. Anderson, an Overland Park businessman, faced no opposition for the Democratic nomination.

Praeger was among more than 100 current and former Republican elected officials who in June endorsed Democrat Paul Davis in the governor’s race.

Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The jury in the case against a former bonding agent found him “guilty” on all but three counts after resuming their deliberations this morning. The jury in the case against Dwight Jurgens reached a verdict but reached a verdict shortly before 10 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Jurgens was found guilty of two counts of aggravated human trafficking, two counts of attempting to commit aggravated human trafficking and two alternate counts of rape. He was found not guilty of two counts of aggravated trafficking and aggravated criminal sodomy. The human trafficking and aggravated counts are charged due to his authority of controlling persons because of his work in a bonding business. He worked for TNT bonding at the time of his arrest.

The state contends that the victims were forced into providing sexual favors with the threat that they could be sent back to jail if they didn’t. Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton was happy with the verdict and says justice was done in this case. He will seek the maximum sentences.

Defense Attorney Sam Kepfield said he was disappointed in the verdict but will seek an appeal saying there are items in the case that could be considered on appeal.

Sentencing is set for October 24.

JOHN HANNA, AP Political Writer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Several Kansas Supreme Court justices are questioning why a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate who wants his name off the ballot should be prevented from doing so by the state’s chief election officer.

The court heard arguments Tuesday in a case that has national implications because it could affect the battle for control of the Senate.

Democrat Chad Taylor’s withdrawal could help independent candidate Greg Orman’s chances to unseat vulnerable Republican incumbent Sen. Pat Roberts.

Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach ruled that Taylor’s name must remain on the ballot because he didn’t comply with state election law.

Taylor has not explained why he withdrew, but several justices asked whether it was sufficient for the Democrat to simply cite the relevant law in his withdrawal letter.

LYONS, Kan. (AP) — A Rice County businessman is considering buying a nine-hole private golf course in Lyons and making it public.

Gene Zaid, founder of JACAM Chemicals, said discussions about the Town and Country Club are in its preliminary stages. He has asked the Lyons City Council for breaks on city water rights for irrigation at the club. Any deal on the course would not involve the chemical company.

The Hutchinson News reports that the Lyons City Council will take up a formal resolution on the water rate request next week but it voted last week to waive fees on half the annual irrigation costs for the course, with a cap of $6,500.

The 40-acre private course is a 2,902-yard, par-35 course, with an appraised value of $174,540.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man who filed a brief asking the Kansas Supreme Court to keep Democrat Chad Taylor on the ballot in the U.S. Senate race is the father of a staffer for Gov. Sam Brownback.

David Orel, of Kansas City, Kansas, on Monday filed a brief with court opposing Taylor’s efforts to withdraw from the race against Sen. Pat Roberts. He argued that Taylor’s withdraw would deprive Orel, a Democrat, of the right to vote for his preferred candidate.

The Wichita Eagle reports Orel’s son, Alexander Orel, is regional field director in the Kansas City area for Brownback’s re-election campaign.

The state Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on a petition Taylor filed after Secretary of State Kris Kobach refused to remove Taylor’s name from the ballot.

PITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) — More than 1,000 Pittsburg State University students are unable to take laboratory classes so far this semester because of delays in a renovation project.

Crews have been working to replace heating, air-conditioning and exhaust systems at Heckert-Wells Hall. The project was supposed to be completed by Aug. 29.

University officials say Corvus, a subcontractor doing mechanical work, walked off the job the Friday of Labor Day weekend and never returned. Pittsburg State officials say it’s unclear why the workers left.

The Joplin Globe reports two mechanical contractors have taken over the project. It is now expected to be completed by Sept. 29. In response, faculty members are working to design their lab classes so the material is compressed into a shorter time frame.