Mandy
Inside the Kansas Statehouse, the conversations often happen in hushed tones. Notes are passed quietly. Lawmakers privately admit they dislike the direction set by Kansas GOP leadership. Many confess frustration over being pressured into supporting legislation they believe is harmful.
Yet in public, very little changes.
Journalists from Kansas Reflector regularly walk the marble hallways, greeting legislators from both parties. In private conversations, several lawmakers echo the same concern: leadership is steering the process, and few are willing to resist. Despite this, votes continue to move forward with little visible opposition.
The question that keeps surfacing is simple: Why do elected officials continue backing measures they privately oppose?
A Legislature Accused Of Ignoring Its Own Rules
Over the years, Kansas Reflector has reported extensively on how GOP leadership allegedly bends procedural rules, limits debate, and sidelines minority voices to push through its agenda. Critics argue that the system could change quickly if even a small group of Republican legislators stood up against leadership tactics.
If that happened:
- Veto overrides from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly might not happen automatically.
- Debate in the Kansas House could continue instead of being cut short.
- Bills would receive deeper and more comprehensive discussion before passage.
According to critics, meaningful reform wouldn’t require a large rebellion. A handful of Republican lawmakers refusing to follow leadership could reshape how the institution functions.
The “Spineless Path” Debate
On Feb. 18, as the House advanced a controversial law targeting transgender Kansans, Rep. Brooklynne Mosley (D-Lawrence) publicly challenged her colleagues. She argued that many lawmakers knew the measure was wrong but lacked the courage to oppose it.
Quoting a well-known line — “A hero dies once. A coward dies a thousand deaths.” — Mosley told fellow legislators she watches them “die every day.”
Her statement highlighted what critics describe as a growing lack of independence within the Legislature. Over the past decade, observers say fewer lawmakers are willing to stand apart from party leadership. Instead, decisions are often shaped in closed caucus meetings before reaching the floor.
A Rare Example Of Independent Action
One exception frequently cited is Rep. Mark Schreiber (R-Emporia), who has publicly expressed independent positions on transgender-related legislation. Despite diverging from party leadership, he continues to win elections and represent his constituents.
Supporters argue his example proves that lawmakers can stand by their beliefs and still maintain voter support.
When Lawmakers Did Push Back
There was a moment late last year when a small group of Republicans showed resistance. Fewer than a dozen GOP legislators declined to support a special session aimed at redrawing Kansas congressional maps.
House Speaker Dan Hawkins reportedly expressed frustration and reassigned committee roles in response. Nevertheless, the effort to call the special session failed. To date, congressional maps remain unchanged, and early legislative sessions this year show little sign of renewed redistricting action.
This episode demonstrated that even a small number of dissenting lawmakers can influence outcomes.
Leadership’s Waning Influence?
Critics point out that Hawkins is expected to leave his leadership role next year, potentially to pursue a run for insurance commissioner or private-sector opportunities. If his tenure is nearing its end, some question why lawmakers remain reluctant to challenge him now.
The argument presented by reform advocates is that courage can be contagious. One lawmaker speaking out may inspire others. A few voices can become several. Several can become a dozen. And suddenly, the dynamics of representative democracy in Kansas might look very different.
The Legacy Of Moderate Kansas Republicans
Kansas has long been associated with thoughtful and moderate Republican leadership. Figures such as Bob Dole, Nancy Kassebaum, and Bill Graves are often remembered for deliberative, bipartisan approaches to governance.
Even Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, represents a governing style some moderate Republicans say they respect.
Observers suggest that many Republican lawmakers privately admire that tradition. However, admiration alone does not shape policy. Only action does.
A Symbol From Kansas History
On the ground floor of the Statehouse sits a fossilized Tylosaurus, the official Kansas marine fossil and a member of the mosasaur family. Its preserved spine is prominently displayed — strong and unmistakable.
Critics of the current legislative climate use it as a metaphor. If lawmakers borrowed even a fraction of that backbone, they argue, Kansas politics might function differently.
The debate unfolding at the Kansas Statehouse centers less on party ideology and more on institutional courage. Critics argue that the current system allows leadership to dominate decision-making, often stifling debate and discouraging dissent.
Yet recent history shows that even a small number of independent lawmakers can alter the course of legislative action. Kansas has a tradition of moderate, thoughtful governance shaped by leaders willing to stand firm in their beliefs.
Whether today’s lawmakers will reclaim that legacy depends not on party affiliation, but on their willingness to act independently when it matters most.