HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Young Professionals of Reno County Candidates Forum Monday evening for the Republican primary elections in Reno County started out pretty calm. The County Commission forum between Ron Hirst and Kris Knowles discussed taxes, saving the county money on its electric bill and keeping young people in Hutchinson.

However, the forum between incumbent state Rep. Steve Becker and challenger Paul Waggoner got even more intense in what has become a somewhat nasty campaign.

Waggoner accused Becker and others of claiming to want tolerance, when they indeed don’t:

 

Becker fired back at his opponent by talking about yard signs and using youth:

 

Other issues covered included education funding and whether the constitution should be changed to take the courts out of the equation. Becker was against that, saying it would never pass in Topeka, while Waggoner called the court’s actions overreach.

Medicaid expansion was also debated. Waggoner says expansion would add to the national debt, while Becker says it would bring money back to Kansas. Becker said it would help the medical community in the 104th district. That includes Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, the Hutchinson Clinic, and others.

Becker called all the claims about his record Monday morning quarterbacking and accused Waggoner of worshiping “ridicule and mockery.” Waggoner again accused Becker of voting more with Democrats than Republicans.

The forum was held at Stage 9 in downtown Hutchinson.