By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
For the second time in as many weeks, the League of Women Voters of Great Bend hosted a candidate forum at the Great Bend Senior Center last Thursday. Whereas the first forum focused on candidates in local races, the second featured candidates running for state and federal offices. Donald Anderson II and Levi Morris are running for district judge in the 20th Judicial District. Anderson, who has practiced law in the area since 2010, answered first on the question of what makes him the best candidate for the position. He said part of it is staying out of the political fray.
"What makes me the best for the position is my understanding that my values don't matter as a judge," he said. "Any judge that tells you their values do matter does not understand the law. A judge's role in this entire process is to follow the law. It's that simple."
Morris also had several years of experience in private practice before becoming Barton County Attorney in 2018. He feels his experience as a department head will be beneficial in the judicial district that spans five counties.
"I counted once and I've practiced in nearly a third of of Kansas' 105 counties, and I've practiced in 14 of the 31 judicial districts," he said. "Long gone are the days when judges sort of sat on the bench all day and issued opinions. Judges have to be administrators as well."
Thursday's forum also featured candidates running for legislative positions at the state and federal levels. Watch the forum in its entirety below.