Topeka Capital-Journal, The: [ Election: Overland Park Chamber of Commerce president joins

Election: Overland Park Chamber of Commerce president joins campaign

Election: Major selections completed

Election: Major candidate selections should be complete

See ELECTION, page 2C

EARL RICHARDSON/The Capital-Journal

Mary Birch, president of the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce, spoke Monday at the Statehouse.

By Jim McLean

The Capital-Journal

Signaling the importance of Johnson County to his late-starting gubernatorial campaign, Senate President Dave Kerr on Monday named Overland Park Chamber of Commerce President Mary Birch as his lieutenant governor running mate.

Birch is well-known in business and political circles in a county where Kerr needs to run well to capture the Republican nomination from State Treasurer Tim Shallenburger and Wichita Mayor Bob Knight.

"Mary was at the top of a very short list --- a list of one," Kerr said, introducing Birch to supporters at the Statehouse.

Kerr said 62,000 jobs and 4,000 new companies had been created in Overland Park during Birch's 18-year tenure at the chamber.

"Clearly she understands the importance of a strong economy," he said.

Kerr, who launched his campaign last week, said if he is elected Birch would serve as secretary of the Department of Commerce and Housing in addition to lieutenant governor.

Birch, 49, said that she joined Kerr's ticket because she shared his philosophy that quality schools are at the root of any successful economic development strategy.

"As I look at others who might lead Kansas, I have been alarmed by those who spend, but who won't find the money," Birch said. "They play Russian roulette with essential services --- especially education."

During the recently concluded legislative session, Kerr helped push through a $252 million tax increase, which he said was necessary to prevent cuts in public education funding and deeper reductions in social service programs for low-income, disabled and elderly Kansans.

Knight, who picked House Speaker Kent Glasscock, R-Manhattan, as his running mate, has said raising taxes was the right thing to do in the face of a massive budget shortfall. However, Shallenburger, the conservative in the race, said over the weekend that it was a mistake to raise taxes and pledged not to propose another increase if elected.

Insurance Commissioner Kathleen Sebelius, the presumed Democratic nominee, has said she will order a comprehensive review of state government if she is elected. She has said until that review is completed, she won't know whether a tax increase will be needed to deal with the state's continuing budget crisis.

On Friday, a preliminary report from the Department of Revenue revealed that tax collections for the fiscal year were $194.5 million under official projections. Officials are estimating that by January, a new governor and lawmakers could be facing a budget shortfall of $450 million.

Pointing to Kerr's role in pushing a tax increase through the 2002 session, Birch said, "Dave saved our schools and other vital services."

Birch grew up in Great Bend and earned a degree in journalism from The University of Kansas in 1974. She was hired as president of the Overland Park chamber in 1984. She serves on the boards of directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Chamber of Commerce Executives.

Kerr and Birch began a three-day statewide tour, which in addition to Topeka included stops in Johnson County, Lawrence and Manhattan.

Monday's announcement is expected to complete the slate of major gubernatorial candidates and their running mates. Last week, Sebelius announced she had chosen Cessna Aircraft Co. executive John Moore. Shallenburger is running with David Lindstrom, a Johnson County businessman and former player for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Dan Bloom, a former superintendent of the Eudora schools, also is running for the Republican nomination. His running mate is his son, Eric, a student at The University of Kansas.