(Garden City, KS) (westernkansasnews.com)

One of Garden City’s most well respected and enduring political leaders has dropped out of the Republican Primary race to represent the 123^rd District in the Kansas State Legislature.  Incumbent State Representative Reynaldo Mesa has issued a statement withdrawing from the election, although his name will still appear on ballots. 

In his statement Mesa, who also serves as Executive Director of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, wrote that while he has been honored and privileged to serve as a legislator, he has found it increasingly difficult to devote 100-percent of his energy to both endeavors.

Mesa’s withdrawal from the race paves the way for the only other candidate seeking the post, John Doll, to win the Primary and thus the General Election.  Doll says he’s cautiously optimistic in the wake of Mesa’s withdrawal, and that the two men are longtime friends who agree on many issues.  The one issue that the two did not agree on was the state budget and a plan to greatly reduce or eliminate state income taxes.  Doll says that is the issue that propelled him into the campaign.  Doll believes the loss in revenue will place Garden City area residents on the losing end of the deal, especially when pertaining to services and infrastructure.  Doll adds that he believes the plan will devastate funding for schools, firefighters, and roads.