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(D) Mann, a first-time candidate for Kansas AG, stops in Pittsburg, makes pitch to voters

Candidates are hitting the road, meeting with voters, and holding rallies ahead of next week's midterms, including Democrat Chris Mann, who met with supporters in Pittsburg on Thursday. KRPS's Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

While larger and more populous states in the US grab the big news headlines, next week, Kansas could make national news with the traditionally Republican-leaning state shading purple.

Democratic Governor Laura Kelly has consistently led in polls over Republican challenger Derek Schmitt. Democrat Lynn Rodgers also has a strong chance for victory in the race for state Treasure, replacing southeast Kansas native Jake LaTurner, who's running for Congress.

Kansas will have a new Attorney General, as Kris Kobach is facing off against Chris Mann. The first-time candidate, Mann, a Democrat, made a campaign stop and a pitch to voters in Pittsburg, Kansas, on Thursday.

"There isn't a one size fits all solution to the problems that are happening in the state. It is going to take the hard work of an Attorney General who is willing to go community by community and work with stakeholders to make sure that we're solving the issues that are important to those communities."

Advanced in-person voting is available in every county across Kansas this weekend. Government-issued photo identification is required.

Since 2017 Fred Fletcher-Fierro has driven up Highway 171 through thunderstorms, downpours, snow, and ice storms to host KRPS’s Morning Edition. He’s also a daily reporter for the station, covering city government, elections, public safety, arts, entertainment, culture, sports and more. Fred has also spearheaded and overseen a sea change in programming for KRPS from a legacy classical station to one that airs a balance of classical, news, jazz, and cultural programming that better reflects the diverse audience of the Four States. For over two months in the fall of 2022 he worked remotely with NPR staff to relaunch krps.org to an NPR style news and information website.