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By ROY GRABER
Courier Editor

Ryan Rising has a simple explanation about why he chose to seek a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives.

"I enjoy the work, and I disagree with some of the votes my opponent has made," he said.

Rising, a Republican, is seeking to unseat Rep. Ed Trimmer, a Democrat, appointed to complete the term of the late Rep. Judy Showalter.

Trimmer has only one legislative session under his belt, but that was enough to convince the young Republican he could vote more consistently with the wants of voters in the 78th District.

Trimmer's position in favor of granting in-state tuition for illegal immigrants is at the forefront of the issues with which Rising disagrees.

Rising opposes giving illegal immigrants in-state tuition.

"We want to make sure we have laws that respect people, but we don't want laws that contradict other laws," Rising said.

He also criticized Trimmer for voting against giving a sales tax break that would help legal residents purchase school supplies.

As a retired teacher and debate coach for the Winfield school district, Trimmer has been painted as the pro-education candidate. But Rising said he is equally interested in education, having been a former substitute teacher and lobbyist for the Maryland School for the Blind.

His big issue in terms of education is accountability. Rising said the state puts more than 65 percent of its budget into the education system, yet Cowley County educators are some of the lowest-paid teachers in the state.

He does not think teachers and administrators have been treated equally in terms of salary raises.

"When we neglect one group, we end up with inequities," Rising said.

Rising said his biggest focus on education will be at the K-12 level.

"I'm very much in favor of technical colleges, (junior colleges) and state universities, but they're not as focused on them in the Legislature," he said.

Rising, who has been endorsed by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and the Kansas Bankers Association, describes himself as a pro-business candidate and said some of Trimmer's votes have not reflected that.

Trimmer opposed legislation that offers tax-exempt status for new business machinery and equipment in Kansas and in an interview, said such tax breaks will put more of the tax burden on landowners.

Rising, however, said the landowners' tax burden should be palatable because of a slider rule that "would ease the transition."

Both candidates have expressed an interest in making health care more affordable. Rising said Kansas should take a closer look at the Massachusetts plan, which balances personal responsibility with shuffling funds to make more government money available for health care.

Rising, a 1998 graduate of Winfield High School and 2002 graduate of Southwestern College, has been criticized in the Courier's public forum for being too young and inexperienced to represent the district well.

He doesn't see it that way. He thinks young blood is what the Legislature needs, and his work as a legislative aide and lobbyist actually gives him more experience than the incumbent.

"When it comes to legislative experience, I have that. I have had good experience, and I've got the endorsements," Rising said.

Like Trimmer, Rising downplays the notion that he is the rural residents' candidate and Trimmer is the urban voters' candidate.

"I've never heard that before. Some may have that sense, but I have the sense that I will represent both areas equally," he said.

He also refutes the idea that he is a candidate with an ultra-conservative agenda.

"I know I have the support of Democrats, Republicans and independents, and you don't get that kind of support if you're an extremist," Rising said. "I like to keep an open mind, and once I make up my mind, I'll continually look at my position as things change."

As a former student of Trimmer's, Rising said he often "wondered what it would be like to debate Mr. Trimmer," but he didn't ever imagine the two would be in a position to debate in this fashion.

He knows they have disagreed, but he feels they have both done a good job of keeping the banter relevant to the political race.

"I try not to attack his person, although I disagree with some of his views," Rising said.