Andanh.com

Health care reform takes priority for the two candidates vying for the 84th District seat made vacant as Rep. Oletha Faust-Goudeau campaigns for the state Senate.

Gail Finney, a marketing/business consultant, said health problems prevented her from working and receiving adequate insurance coverage, which caused her to file bankruptcy in 2005.

Because she has lupus, Finney said, she also had difficulty getting accepted for insurance coverage.

"If you don't have a good job, you're going to be without health insurance and be in the same predicament," said Finney, who said her struggles make her a voice of experience. "You'll not only lose your health insurance, but you could lose your home and everything."

Candidate Inga Taylor lost her daughter.

The sagging economy is a top issue among candidates in the race for House District 93.

Four candidates are vying to replace Dick Kelsey, who is running for state Senate.

The Republican candidates are Dan Kerschen, 55, a Garden Plain dairy farmer; Carl H. Koster Jr., 56, former Cheney mayor; and Barbara A. Walters, 51, executive director of the Haysville Chamber of Commerce.

The winner of the August Republican primary will face Democrat Joann Keiter, a retired Haysville school administrator.

District 93 includes parts of southwest Sedgwick County and eastern Kingman County. Cities in the district include Cheney, Garden Plain, Goddard, Haysville, Viola and parts of Wichita and Kingman.