Democratic Kansas Sen. Tom Holland launches campaign for governor

[SoCalDem]

http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1756102.html

Democratic Kansas Sen. Tom Holland launches campaign for governor
By DAVID KLEPPER

TOPEKA | Little-known Kansas state Sen. Tom Holland on Wednesday kicked off his campaign for governor, insisting voters deserve an alternative to Republican U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback. Holland, a Baldwin City Democrat, said that if elected in November, he would focus on creating private-sector jobs and protecting the state’s investment in education. “I’m standing here today to let Kansans know they do have a choice for governor,” he said.

Holland’s campaign represents the latest attempt by Democrats to find a viable candidate to challenge Brownback, whose campaign for governor is well under way. Holland, 48, was elected to the state House in 2003. Last year, he moved to the Senate after beating the Republican incumbent by fewer than 900 votes.

He owns and manages an information technology and professional services company he started with his wife, Barbara. The couple have four children.

“Kansas has been very good to me and my family. But now times have gotten harder. Kansans are facing problems of historic proportions,” Holland said. “Our economy is the worst it has been in over two generations. I’ve seen problems facing our state before, and I have answered the call for Kansans.”The new candidate quickly went on the offensive, calling Brownback a Washington insider who sat by as deficits skyrocketed and the recession took hold.


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