Aaron Coleman
Aaron Coleman (Democratic Party) was a member of the Kansas House of Representatives, representing District 37. He assumed office on January 11, 2021. He left office on January 9, 2023.
Coleman (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Kansas House of Representatives to represent District 37. He lost in the Democratic primary on August 2, 2022.
In January 2021, Coleman briefly left the Democratic Party after Democratic state lawmakers filed a misconduct complaint against him.[1][2] On February 28, 2022, members of the Kansas Democratic Party State Committee passed a resolution to suspend Coleman.[3] Click here to learn more about this noteworthy event, and click here to learn about state legislators who switched political party affiliation.
Coleman ran as an independent write-in candidate for governor of Kansas in 2018.[4]
Biography
Aaron Coleman was born in Kansas City, Kansas.[5][6]
Elections
2022
See also: Kansas House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Kansas House of Representatives District 37
Melissa Oropeza defeated Diana Whittington in the general election for Kansas House of Representatives District 37 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Melissa Oropeza (D) | 61.8 | 2,997 | |
 | Diana Whittington (R) | 38.2 | 1,849 | |
| Total votes: 4,846 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 37
Melissa Oropeza defeated Faith Rivera and incumbent Aaron Coleman in the Democratic primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 37 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Melissa Oropeza | 49.2 | 1,248 | |
| Faith Rivera | 37.6 | 954 | ||
| Aaron Coleman | 13.2 | 334 | ||
| Total votes: 2,536 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 37
Diana Whittington advanced from the Republican primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 37 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Diana Whittington | 100.0 | 985 |
| Total votes: 985 | ||||
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2020
See also: Kansas House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Kansas House of Representatives District 37
Aaron Coleman won election in the general election for Kansas House of Representatives District 37 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Aaron Coleman (D) | 66.5 | 3,649 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 33.5 | 1,842 | ||
| Total votes: 5,491 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 37
Aaron Coleman defeated incumbent Stan Frownfelter in the Democratic primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 37 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Aaron Coleman | 50.4 | 823 | |
| Stan Frownfelter | 49.6 | 809 | ||
| Total votes: 1,632 | ||||
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2018
See also: Kansas gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018
General election
General election for Governor of Kansas
Laura Kelly defeated Kris Kobach, Greg Orman, Jeff Caldwell, and Rick Kloos in the general election for Governor of Kansas on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Laura Kelly (D) | 48.0 | 506,727 | |
| Kris Kobach (R) | 43.0 | 453,645 | ||
| Greg Orman (Independent) | 6.5 | 68,590 | ||
| Jeff Caldwell (L) | 1.9 | 20,020 | ||
| Rick Kloos (Independent) | 0.6 | 6,584 | ||
| Total votes: 1,055,566 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Andrea Costley (Independent)
- Aaron Coleman (Independent)
- JoeLarry Hunter (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Governor of Kansas
Laura Kelly defeated Carl Brewer, Joshua Svaty, Arden Andersen, and Jack Bergeson in the Democratic primary for Governor of Kansas on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Laura Kelly | 51.4 | 80,377 | |
| Carl Brewer | 20.2 | 31,493 | ||
| Joshua Svaty | 17.5 | 27,292 | ||
| Arden Andersen | 8.4 | 13,161 | ||
| Jack Bergeson | 2.5 | 3,950 | |
| Total votes: 156,273 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Michael Tabman (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Governor of Kansas
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Kansas on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kris Kobach | 40.6 | 128,832 | |
| Jeff Colyer | 40.5 | 128,489 | ||
| Jim Barnett | 8.8 | 27,994 | ||
| Ken Selzer | 7.8 | 24,804 | ||
| Patrick Kucera | 1.0 | 3,212 | ||
| Tyler Ruzich | 0.7 | 2,275 | |
| Joseph Tutera Jr. | 0.5 | 1,559 | ||
| Total votes: 317,165 | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Aaron Coleman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released April 19, 2020 |
Aaron Coleman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Coleman's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
Aaron Coleman, a Turner native who serves as a Wyandotte County Democratic Precinct Committeeman and is a former Party Secretary of the Wyandotte County Young Democrats, will seek the Kansas State Representative District 37 seat in August's election.
In an announcement release, Aaron said he was running "because I believe in a Kansas that works for every citizen, and not policies drafted by Statehouse lobbyists."
As a previous candidate for Governor, Aaron says he had the opportunity to have conversations with Kansans. "I've heard your struggles, and I believe it's time for fresh leadership that understands what it's like to struggle to make ends meet, not a career politician who holds multiple offices. You deserve a full-time state representative, not one who hasn't even sponsored a bill since his first term."
- Upholding the constituion
- COVID-19 economic reponse: Cannabis
- COVID-19 heathcare plan: Single-payer
Once elected your State Representative I will remain committed to raise the minimum wage, make public colleges and universities tuition free, and guarantee access to free healthcare to everyone. To accomplish these goals, I believe it is about time the Koch Brother's start paying taxes in Kansas for once.
Bernie Sanders inspired me to get more active in politics. In 2018 I ran as a candidate for governor under his platform and received votes at the November election across two counties in Kansas.
While Bernie Sanders will never be president, he ha created millions of people like himself, like me, who will carry to the progressive movement forward and end the 50 year reign of corporate controlled elected officials.
"Bernie Sanders Guide To Political Revolution," by Bernie Sander.
I would like to see Kansas transformed into a social democracy within my lifetime where everyone has equal opportunity to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
what's the matter with Kansas by thomas frank
It explains how the good people of Kansas have been tricked into voting against their own self interest.
Aaron had to complete a GED because of health issues. When asked about those issues, "I was locked in a closet, among other things, for three years at Turner Elementary. It was solitary confinement and I was affected neurologically. This severe trauma caused me to be relieved from school, and I fought through my condition to complete my GED and excelled academically." He said, "That's why I ran for Governor in 2018, because I'm lucky to be alive, and I don't want any child to suffer as I did." Aaron is currently continuing his studies with a main focus of eventually joining the Air Force.
Currently Kansas is still attempting to stabilize after the Brownback years and it will take another 15 year before we can repay the trillion dollar in debt that he took out.
We must get the 1% to finally pay their fair share of taxes so we can stabilize our state and start to reinvest into schools and our crumbling roads.
The voters should pick their politicians. The politicians should not pick their voters. I'll push for an independent redistricting commission to ensure Republicans can't gerrymander our state.
Rui Xu of Johnson County has been a clear example of a bold strong loud and aggressive progressive in Kansas. He has one of the most progressive voting records of any legislator currently and I look forward to advancing the progressive movement with his leadership.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Noteworthy events
Suspended by Kansas Democratic Party State Committee (2022)
On February 28, 2022, members of the Kansas Democratic Party State Committee passed a resolution to suspend Coleman.
In a statement given to FOX4, the committee said: “The KDP State Committee passed a resolution suspending Rep. Coleman from the party for a two-year period. To the extent permitted by DNC and KDP bylaws, this suspension prevents Rep. Coleman from participating in party events, from serving in an elected or appointed capacity within the Party, and from receiving party resources and support during any campaign for public office.”[3]
As of March 2, 2022, Ballotpedia could not identify a response to the suspension from Coleman.
Leave of absence following domestic battery charges (2021)
On October 30, 2021, Coleman was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery over an incident involving his brother.[7] Coleman's attorney entered a not-guilty plea at his court appearance and a judge ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation. On November 4, Coleman announced via Twitter that he would step away from his legislative duties for a week.[8] Coleman reached a diversion agreement on March 21, 2022.[9]
Misconduct complaint dismissed resulting in a party affiliation change (2021)
On January 22, 2021, a legislative committee in the Kansas House of Representatives dismissed a formal complaint against Coleman for past inappropriate conduct.[10] Democratic state lawmakers submitted the complaint highlighting some of his previous behavior, which included instances of cyberbullying, revenge porn, and threats against other political figures.[11]
As a result of the investigation, on January 12, Coleman requested his party affiliation be listed as Independent, effective immediately.[12] However, once the committee decided against formal action, Coleman rejoined the Democratic Party.
"I was elected as a Democrat. I ran as a Democrat. I vote with the Democrats," Coleman said on February 8.[13]
The legislative panel sent an informal letter to Coleman listing future behavioral expectations.[14] Coleman said he would follow the suggestions given to him by his fellow lawmakers.[10] In total, Coleman left the Democratic Party for less than one month.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Kansas scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2022
In 2022, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 10 to May 23.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on a variety of issues of interest to the organization.
- Legislators are scored on their support for bills that the organization lists as promoting "individual liberty, limited government, free markets and student-focused education."
- Legislators are scored by the MainStream Coalition on whether they voted with the moderate position on selected bills.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Kansas State Legislature was in session from January 11 to May 26.
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See also
2022 Elections
External links
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Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Kansas Reflector, "Democrats try to oust Kansas representative, who quits party," January 12, 2021
- ↑ KSHB, "Kansas Rep. Aaron Coleman rejoins Democratic Party," February 8, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 FOX4, "Kansas Democrats suspend controversial Rep. Aaron Coleman," February 28, 2022
- ↑ The Hutchinson News "High School Dropout Running for Governor" December 27,2017
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 3, 2020
- ↑ Teamcoleman, "About," accessed January 12, 2021
- ↑ Miami Herald, "Kansas lawmaker arrested on domestic violence charge," November 1, 2021
- ↑ US News, "Criminal Case Leads Kansas Lawmaker to Step Aside for Week," November 4, 2021
- ↑ 41 KSHB, "Kansas Rep. Aaron Coleman reaches diversion agreement in domestic-battery case," March 24, 2022
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Topeka Capital-Journal, "Complaint against Rep. Aaron Coleman dismissed, as legislators favor informal discipline," January 23, 2021
- ↑ WDAF, "20-year-old lawmaker who admitted to revenge porn says he is leaving Kansas Democratic Party," January 13, 2021
- ↑ KSHB, "Kansas Rep. Aaron Coleman says he's leaving Democratic Party," January 12, 2021
- ↑ KSHB, "Kansas Rep. Aaron Coleman rejoins Democratic Party," February 8, 2021
- ↑ KSHB, "Kansas House panel to warn new member over past behavior," January 22, 2021
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Stan Frownfelter (D) |
Kansas House of Representatives District 37 2021-2023 |
Succeeded by Melissa Oropeza (D) |
