News
Slattery makes stops in Winfield, Ark City
The Winfield Daily Courier
Jim Slattery took his case against Pat Roberts to Cowley County on Saturday, making stops in Winfield and Ark City.
The former Democratic Congressman from Topeka spoke to about 20 voters at College Hill Coffee in Winfield and at Wilson Park in Arkansas City. He stopped at the Walnut Valley Farmers Market at Island Park, first.
Posted on August 25, 2008
Slattery Challenges Roberts to Series of Debates
Contends voters deserve discussion of issues
Jim Slattery, candidate for the US Senate, held a press conference today in Wichita outside of Sen. Pat Roberts’ district office. At the press conference, Slattery reiterated his challenge to Roberts for a series of public debates.
“It’s time Roberts stepped out from behind his slick television advertisements,” Slattery said, “and engaged in real and thoughtful debates about the issues important to Kansans and the future of our country.”
Posted on August 25, 2008
Slattery Challenges Roberts to Release List of Earmark Requests
Cites importance of government accountability and transparency
Last Friday Jim Slattery, candidate for the US Senate, unveiled his plan for earmark reform.
“The process of awarding earmarks is broken and in need of reform to rebuild American’s confidence and trust in the federal government,” Slattery said.
Slattery’s five point plan included a one-year moratorium on earmarks, a prohibition on “monuments to me,” merit based funding, and increased accountability and transparency in earmark requests.
Posted on August 11, 2008
Slattery Proposes Earmark Reform
Highlights Roberts Misplaced Priorities
Jim Slattery, candidate for the US Senate, held a press conference today in Wichita to unveil his plan to curb wasteful Congressional earmarks.
Earmarks are funding secured by members of Congress for projects or programs that are not subject to competitive bidding or administrative review.
Slattery argued that many Congressional earmarks were not in the best interest of the public.
Posted on August 08, 2008
Slattery expects race to tighten by October
Kiowa County Signal
Signal: What can you do for Kansas in the next six years that Pat Roberts hasn’t in his two terms?
Slattery: Senator Roberts and I disagree on several matters of importance to Kansans. I’m a strong proponent of wind energy and think it’s a huge economic opportunity for this state. I want to see the production tax credits (for alternative forms of energy such as wind and solar) made permanent right now and Senator Roberts has voted against that. Secondly, I’m a fiscal conservative and Senator Roberts doesn’t deny he’s helped put us $3 trillion into debt. Third, I’ll immediately support Medicare being able to purchase drugs at discount in volume from the pharmaceutical companies like Wal-Mart and the Veterans Administration can. Fourth, I’ve paid a lot of my money in taxes and I’m sick and tired of way the federal government is spending our tax dollars, while Senator Roberts votes to spend money on things like the bridge to nowhere.
Posted on August 08, 2008
Slattery Raises $1 Million from Over 2,000 Individuals
Jim Slattery, candidate for the US Senate, announced Monday that he had raised $1 million dollars. Slattery crossed the $1 million dollar threshold Sunday at a fundraiser hosted by Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson.
“This is an important financial milestone in my campaign for the US Senate,” Slattery said. “It demonstrates the viability of my candidacy and my ability to compete in the general election.”
Posted on August 04, 2008
Roberts Votes Against Defense Authorization Bill
Opposes pay raise and improvements in health care for troops
Senator Pat Roberts voted with Republicans Thursday night to block the Defense Authorization Bill. The bill would have authorized appropriations for fiscal year 2009 for military activities of the Department of Defense.
Posted on August 01, 2008
Roberts Votes Against Tax Relief- Again
Misplaced priorities put party affiliation above state’s best interests
Senator Pat Roberts voted today against a package of tax extensions that would provide much needed relief for Kansas businesses and families and provide incentives for the development of alternative energies.
“After 40 years in Washington, Roberts has lost touch with the important needs of Kansans,” Slattery said. “Kansans are struggling to pay for $4.00 a gallon gas and yet Roberts voted against both tax relief and tax incentives for alternative energy development. It defies Kansas common sense.”
Posted on July 31, 2008
Roberts Linked to Indicted Senator Ted Stevens
Made trip to Alaska, supported Senator’s earmarks, accepted campaign contributions
Yesterday, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska was indicted on seven felony charges for failing to disclose over $250,000 worth of materials and labor gifted by an oil company for renovations to his Alaska home.
Stevens is good friends with Kansas Senator Pat Roberts. Roberts flew to Alaska in 2000 to emcee an event dedicating an Anchorage airport named after Ted Stevens.
Posted on July 30, 2008
Alaska Senator Indicted: Roberts Received Thousands from Stevens
Slattery urges Roberts to donate contributions to charity
Alaska senator, Ted Stevens was indicted today on seven felony counts for making false statements on his senate financial disclosure forms. For seven years, Stevens failed to disclose over $250,000 worth of materials and labor gifted by an oil company for renovations to his Alaska home.
Sen. Stevens and his leadership PAC, Northern Lights, donated $19,785 to Kansas Senator Pat Roberts. In 2005, Roberts voted in favor of Steven’s wasteful $230 million “Bridge to Nowhere” in Alaska.
Posted on July 29, 2008
Slattery Responds to Negative Attack Ads
At a press conference today, Jim Slattery, candidate for the US Senate, responded to negative attack ads being run by incumbent senator, Pat Roberts.
“Pat Roberts is attacking me to distract from his record,” Slattery said, “and Kansans deserve better.”
Posted on July 29, 2008
Roberts Misleads Voters in Campaign Ad
Pat Roberts released a campaign ad today blaming Jim Slattery, candidate for the US Senate, for the high price of gas despite the fact that Slattery has not been involved in making public policy for over 14 years.
Posted on July 26, 2008
Roberts Voted Against Efforts to Lower Gas Prices
Opposed Efforts to Curb Energy Market Speculation
Today, Senator Pat Roberts voted against the Stop Excessive Energy Speculation Act. Experts believe market speculation is contributing to the high price of oil.
“This bill would have been an important first step towards reducing the price of gas,” said Jim Slattery, candidate for the US Senate.
Posted on July 25, 2008
NRSC Joins Roberts in Attacking Slattery
The National Republican Senatorial Committee released a web ad yesterday attacking Jim Slattery, candidate for the US Senate, for voting for a provision in the Deficit Reduction Act of 1993 that included an increase in the gas tax.
Posted on July 24, 2008
Slattery Releases Third Campaign Ad
Kansans pay for big oil tax breaks at the pump
Jim Slattery, candidate for the US Senate, released his third campaign ad today.
The ad can be viewed here
Posted on July 23, 2008
Slattery Reports Strong Fundraising Numbers
Raised $932,210 in campaign for new leadership in US Senate
The Slattery for Senate campaign announced today that Jim Slattery raised $932,210 for his race for the U.S. Senate.
Posted on July 22, 2008
Slattery To Release First Campaign Ads
Jim Slattery, candidate for the US Senate, released his first campaign ads today. The ads will begin airing statewide on Tuesday.
They can be viewed here.
Posted on July 21, 2008
Slattery Praises Passage of Medicare Bill
Criticizes Roberts for making election year votes
Yesterday the Senate passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act with a veto-proof majority. Jim Slattery, candidate for the United States Senate, released the following statement with regard to the vote:
“The Senate did the right thing today by passing the Medicare Improvements bill. Not doing so would have meant reduced Medicare payments to doctors and reduced access to health care for new Medicare patients.”
Pat Roberts voted in favor of the measure, but Slattery took issue with his positioning on the issue.
Posted on July 10, 2008
Slattery Praises Decision to Rebid Tanker Contract
Criticizes Roberts for Failing to Do Job
“This is not only great news for Boeing, but it’s the right decision,” Slattery said. “It is my hope that once the contract is re-bid it will be awarded to Boeing and that Boeing will continue to play an integral role in the production of military equipment so essential to protecting our nation.”
Posted on July 09, 2008
Change brewing in Kansas’ politics?
The Kansas City Star
Kansas hasn’t elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since the Great Depression.
Through 13 presidents and five wars, Republicans have held its two seats for 76 unbroken years — the longest streak in the nation.
But today’s political climate could weaken their grip.
Posted on July 09, 2008
Slattery Holds Press Conference to Discuss Energy Crisis
Outlines Comprehensive Energy Reform
Jim Slattery, candidate for the US Senate, held a press conference July 2nd to discuss the high price of gas.
“As gas prices continue to reach record highs, Kansas families are really struggling to make ends meet,” Slattery said.
Slattery highlighted the failed energy policy of the Bush Administration.
“$4 gas is a direct result of the disastrous policy decisions made by politicians in Washington, including my opponent, Pat Roberts,” Slattery said.
When Roberts was elected to the Senate twelve years ago gas cost $1.26 per gallon. Since that time, gas prices have increased over 200 percent. Meanwhile, big oil companies have made record profits; nearly $600 billion since President Bush took office.
Posted on July 03, 2008
Slattery Calls for Real Solutions to High Gas Prices
Roberts introduces bill to solve problems he created
After years of inaction, Pat Roberts today introduced a bill entitled the “Gas Price Reduction Act,” claiming the legislation would ease the high price of fuel at the pump.
“None of the so called solutions offered by Roberts will provide any relief to Kansans at the pump this summer or anytime in the near future,” said Jim Slattery, candidate for the US Senate.
Slattery said that Roberts was trying to solve the problems he played a large role in creating.
“It’s amazing what career politicians will come up with when faced with a competitive election,” Slattery said. “The War in Iraq and the reckless fiscal policy of the Bush Administration, both of which Roberts supported, are main causes of the record high gas prices.”
Posted on June 26, 2008
Roberts Continues to Mislead Kansans about Boeing, Films Campaign Ad Using Taxpayer Dollars
Pat Roberts went up on the air yesterday with a new political ad saying he will fight to make sure the Air Force gets it right on the Boeing tanker.
What Roberts doesn’t say in the ad, is that he has failed to fight for Boeing and the tanker contract- twice.
In 2005, Roberts was a member of two committees that allowed a “Buy American” provision to be removed from the 2006 Defense Authorization Bill. The provision was specifically written to prevent EADS from winning the Air Force tanker contract over Boeing.
Posted on June 26, 2008
Roberts Protects Drug Companies at Expense of Kansas Seniors and Taxpayers
June 20th, Senator Pat Roberts held a press conference at Jayhawk Pharmacy. At the event, Roberts said he was opposed to allowing the federal government to negotiate with drug companies for lower drug prices for the Medicare Part D program.
This cycle alone, Roberts has accepted over $90,000 from prescription drug companies and voted to protect the profits of prescription drug companies at the expense of the over 340,000 Kansans enrolled in Medicare Part D.
Posted on June 26, 2008
Slattery Questions Roberts’ Role in Removal of Buy American Provisions
At a press conference in Wichita today Jim Slattery criticized incumbent senator Pat Roberts’ role in the removal of a precisely worded Buy American provision from the 2006 Defense Authorization Bill. The removal of the provision allowed EADS to compete with Boeing for the Air Force tanker contract.
“Roberts had two chances to fight for Boeing and Kansas,” Slattery said. “First as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and then as a member of the conference committee for the 2006 Defense Authorization bill. On both occasions, Roberts failed.”
Posted on June 24, 2008
Slattery Congratulates Boeing on GAO Decision
Topeka, KS- Jim Slattery, candidate for the U.S. Senate congratulates Boeing on their successful appeal and the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) recommendation to the Air Force to suspend the EADS-Northrop Grumman tanker contract and reopen discussions.
“This is the right decision and wonderful news for Boeing,” Slattery said. “It is my hope that the contract is re-bid and awarded to Boeing.”
Posted on June 18, 2008
Lawrence Journal-World: “Democrats gain in state poll”
Topeka — In the span of one month, presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain’s lead in Kansas over Democrat Barack Obama has been cut in half, and Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts’ margin over Democrat Jim Slattery also has dropped.
Posted on June 17, 2008
Hutchinson News: “Competitive race unfolding for US Senate”
TOPEKA - History appears to be on U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts’ side when it comes to his re-election bid in Kansas this fall.
But this year’s political climate could become a hurdle to his effort at winning a third six-year term in the chamber, one state political observer says.
Although Democrats haven’t won a U.S. Senate race in Kansas since 1932, recent polling results show Roberts could be facing a competitive race from his likely November opponent, former Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Slattery.
Posted on June 17, 2008
Slattery Urges Roberts to Support Renewable Energy Bill
Jim Slattery, candidate for the United States Senate, today urged Sen. Pat Roberts to change his position and vote in favor of the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act.
“Sen. Roberts voted the wrong way on Tuesday when he voted against the Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act, but he has the opportunity to do the right thing and vote for the bill when it is reconsidered on Monday,” Slattery said.
Posted on June 13, 2008
Poll shows Jim Slattery surging
In a June 5-8, 2008, survey by Cooper & Secrest Associates of 808 likely Kansas general election voters (error margin: ± 3.5 pts.) conducted on behalf of Jim Slattery for U.S. Senate, Kansas voters make plain their diminishing regard for incumbent Pat Roberts, their dismay with the Bush Administration, and their willingness to consider a Democratic alternative.
Here are the highlights:
Posted on June 13, 2008
Lawrence Journal: “Slattery is pledging to give Roberts a competitive race”
Topeka — In his bid to upset U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Democrat Jim Slattery is promising Kansans the kind of competitive Senate race they haven’t seen in more than three decades.
“This is going to be a great year for change,” Slattery said last week as he filed to run.
Posted on June 10, 2008
Slattery Announces Endorsement by Key Republicans
Republicans Nelson and Judy Krueger have endorsed Jim Slattery for the United States Senate.
“I’m pleased Nelson and Judy are joining my campaign,” Slattery said. “I’m determined to be a senator who will help unify our country by working across party lines to promote the best ideas to solve America’s urgent problems.”
Posted on June 06, 2008
Slattery Criticizes Senate Intelligence Committee
After a nearly four-year investigation, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence today released their final phase II report on prewar Iraq intelligence.
The report outlines many prewar statements made by members of the Bush Administration that according to the report “misrepresented the intelligence and threat from Iraq.”
Jim Slattery, candidate for the United States Senate, criticized the federal government.
Posted on June 05, 2008
Slattery Files for US Senate
Jim Slattery filed for election for the U.S. Senate this morning.
“I’m running for office because the U.S. Senate is simply not getting the job done,” Jim said. “On the issues of the economy, energy prices, and the war in Iraq, the incompetence of the political leadership in Washington is breathtaking. I cannot in good conscience continue to sit on the sidelines and watch career politicians lead our country in the wrong direction.”
Posted on June 03, 2008
California Dreamin’—Roberts Distances Himself from President Bush
Congressional work periods are a great time for members of Congress to return home and visit with their constituents on important issues of the day. But Pat Roberts, anxious to distance himself from the unpopular Bush Administration, has headed to California to raise money for his re-election campaign.
Posted on May 29, 2008
Slattery Urges Roberts to Support 21st Century G.I. Bill
Jim Slattery, candidate for the United States Senate, today urged Sen. Pat Roberts to vote in favor of the 21st Century G.I. Bill.
“There’s overwhelming support for the 21st Century G.I. Bill among active duty troops, the veteran community and in Congress,” Slattery said. “Sen. Roberts must put partisanship and politics aside and vote in favor of this bill.”
Posted on May 22, 2008
Poll Indicates Slattery Gaining Ground
Rasmussen Reports released a poll today showing Jim Slattery is gaining ground on incumbent Senator Pat Roberts.
“This is a clear indication that Kansans want change,” Slattery said, “and I anticipate this race will only become more competitive.”
Rasmussen reports 40 percent of those polled would vote for Slattery if the election were held today. Roberts leads by a narrowing margin of 12 percent. Slattery leads by three points among unaffiliated voters.
Posted on May 16, 2008
Slattery Campaigns Up Highway 24
Jim Slattery made campaign stops in Saint Mary’s, Wamego, and Manhattan yesterday.
“I enjoyed talking to Kansans yesterday about the things they are most concerned about,” Slattery said. “Over and over again, people told me they were worried about the economy and the high price of gas.”
Posted on May 09, 2008
Widespread Praise for Slattery Campaign Launch
The reviews are in - Jim Slattery’s campaign launch speaking tour was a huge success. Many have viewed the video of Jim’s announcement speech in Topeka. Others have posted comments about the speech and the campaign. And we received serious coverage in the press.
Posted on April 30, 2008
Jim Slattery Announces Campaign Across Kansas
Jim Slattery will officially announce his campaign in a speech to be delivered in Topeka, Overland Park, Kansas City and Wichita on Tuesday, April 29th, 2008. The full transcript of the speech is below.
Posted on April 29, 2008
Slattery Raises Over $285,000: Encouraged by Support from Kansas
The Slattery for Senate campaign announced today that Jim Slattery raised over $285,000 for his race for the U.S. Senate.
“I’m encouraged by the financial support we have received in such a short time,” Slattery said. “It shows that Kansans are eager for new leadership in the United States Senate.”
Posted on April 15, 2008
Jim Slattery Announces Intention to Run
The following is a statement from Jim Slattery regarding his candidacy for US Senate:
“I’ve spent the last several weeks talking to Kansans about their hopes and concerns for the future of our state and nation. What’s become clear to me is that Kansans desire a change in leadership; I believe I can help bring about that change. I’ll continue listening to Kansans and will make a formal announcement about my bid for the US Senate in the near future.”
Posted on April 10, 2008