Over the years, I have treated patients who came to me with complications after an abortion. I’ve also treated babies born during the abortion procedure, and these have been some of the most heart-wrenching experiences imaginable. One patient, in particular, made a huge impact on how I think about this issue.

My little patient accomplished the impossible - surviving the abortionist’s attempt to snuff out his life. Though strong enough to temporarily live outside the womb, he was too young to survive for very long after being separated from his mother, primarily because his lungs weren’t developed adequately enough to support his body’s needs. Medical science had failed to kill him quickly, and now medical science had little to offer that would allow him to live. The nurses called me to the operating room, where his abortion was in progress.

At the time, I had been a physician for about three years. I had seen a few aborted fetuses who still had a heartbeat. But this infant wasn’t lying limp like the others were doing. He was moving his arms and legs and looked as if he wanted to cry—a rather embarrassing situation for the abortionist. The situation struck me as absurd. Just minutes earlier, this fragile human being had legally been a “nonperson” possessing no rights.

Yet, after surviving the abortion, he magically became a “person” entitled to medical care. The same system that had failed to kill him was now in charge of saving his life. And I happened to be the one on call.

I transferred him to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) when it became obvious to me that this infant was too tough to die quickly. Attendants placed him under a heating lamp for warmth in his NICU baby bed. As I stared down at his frail body, emotion arose in my chest with each tiny heartbeat. I had the impression that the entire universe revolved around this one human being. I had often written routine orders for premature babies’ admittance to the NICU, but this admission clearly was not routine.

Over several hours, as his breathing became more labored, he grimaced several times—evidence of a struggle with something he had no ability to comprehend. While I could see him, with his eyes fused shut he could not see me. He would never know me or remember me, but I would always remember him. Finally, his grunting quieted, his movements ceased, and the grimace passed. I pronounced him dead.

This experience early in my medical career profoundly influenced my understanding of the abortion issue. I will always respect human life.

The “Value Them Both” constitutional amendment will be before the Kansas voters this August. I encourage everyone to vote and help us pass this amendment.

I wrote the book Fingerprint of God to inspire believers to become unified through the bonds of Christian love. I believe this is key for revival of the church. Too many times we have abdicated our duties to provide for those in need, the poor, and the hurting ... so we end up with government-sponsored programs to fill that need.

I am thankful for the pastors and church leaders who are called upon to give of themselves so that the body of Christ may continue to live and flourish. Their prayers and tears for those under their care are the lifeblood of the body. If not for ministers heeding the call of God on their lives, the body of Christ could not fulfill its role.

Unfortunately, I have seen hostility toward people of faith increasing in my lifetime. I’m at an age now where I have grandchildren. They are wonderful! But if there’s one thing that keeps me awake at night, it’s concern about their future. What kind of world are we creating for them? Will they be able to live out their lives as truly free people? That depends largely on what we as people of faith are willing to fight for. Are we willing to take a stand for our values?

I will be a strong and consistent voice for conservative values

I believe there are incredible business opportunities right here in southeast Kansas, and I want to help lay the groundwork for prosperity.

My family and I started two businesses, and we’re now working on a third. One buys and restores deteriorating properties in the area. Another is Coffeyville Coffee Company which we created to promote Coffeyville and its rich history nationwide through coffee. My daughter and son-in-law are opening the third business this summer - it’s an ice cream shop. Good things are ahead for southeast Kansas! I want to be a part of what’s to come.

I believe people should be allowed to keep more of the money they earn through their own sweat and blood. I believe lawmakers should focus more on what is best for the taxpayers, rather than the tax consumers.

If we have trouble paying the bills then the solution is more often than not to spend less rather than to tax more. I believe we should have limited government, with only as much red tape as is needed for public safety. And let individual taxpayers keep more of the money they worked hard to earn.

As a practicing physician, I have treated over 100,000 patients. Taking care of people and solving their medical problems has become second nature for me.

So, I consider patient-focused healthcare legislation to be essential. And most of the problems we now face have a healthcare angle to them.

A case in point is the COVID pandemic.

I’ve treated hundreds of patients with COVID and have seen things from the front lines. What really bothers me is that an important issue like this has become so politicized. Our trusted institutions such as the CDC have become so politicized that people don’t know who to believe or what to believe. We need experienced healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable and tell the truth rather than just parroting the agenda of a partisan group. I will do everything I can to earn the respect and trust of the people of southeast Kansas.

I think it’s essential we have people making healthcare decisions who are in tune with southeast Kansas values.

We frequently hear about biological males competing in women’s athletics. This cannot be tolerated. It is destroying the progress we’ve made in women’s sports over the last several decades.

One of my daughters competed through college as an NCAA Division I basketball player. It would have devastated her basketball career if she had had to compete against biological males. I could never go for that.

I understand transgenderism has become a prominent issue. And many of these people are hurting and need help. But biological men competing in women's sports is not the answer.

I respect and support the Second Amendment. It’s not only necessary for law-abiding people as a means of self-defense. It could become our last line of defense as free people.