OTTAWA — State Rep. Bill Otto, R-LeRoy, told members of the Franklin County Farm Bureau last week that the days in which rural legislators held a commanding advantage are numbered. Although many political observers are watching how the majority Republican Party redistricts legislative districts, the key battle will be urban vs. rural legistlators, he said. Redistricting next year will increase the number of urban legislators in Kansas as western and southeastern Kansas continues to lose population and legislators, he said. However, for the time being, rural interests will be able to play defense as long as Sam Brownback, who have extensive rural and farm interests, is governor and isn’t likely to allow urban legislators roll over on rural citizens, he said.
Monday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m.
