Steve Abrams
Steve Abrams (born 1949) is a Republican member of the Kansas Senate, representing the 32nd District. He was a member of the Board of Education for Unified School District 470 in Arkansas City, Kansas. In 1995, he was elected a member of the Kansas State Board of Education, representing District 10. He served as chairman for the Kansas State Board of Education from 2005 to 2008. In 2008, he became the senator for Kansas Senate District 32.
Biographical information
Abrams was born in Arkansas City, Kansas, and is married.
Abrams is a resident of Arkansas City, Kansas. He has a Ph.D. from Kansas State University and has been a veterinarian since 1978.
Religious beliefs
Abrams believes that the Earth is about 10,000 years old. Abrams also believes that the biblical account of Genesis is a factual literal account. He supports the Creationist and Intelligent Design view of origins. In addition, Abrams believes in the historicity of the Bible.
Abrams is also a member of Family Life Services in Arkansas City, which helps support families dealing with traumatic life issues from a biblical perspective. Among the many issues the FLS helps the general public with is women with unplanned pregnancies with options other than abortion.[1]
Gun ownership issues
Abrams has received an "A" grade from the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund. The highest grade they give is an "A+".[2]
Committee membership
Abrams is part of a veto-proof Republican majority senate in Kansas.
Committees
- Education (chair)
- Assessment and Taxation
- Agriculture [3]
Kansas State Board of Education
While serving as chairman[4] of the Kansas State Board of Education in 2005, Abrams supported the adoption of standards that would bring into question the theory of evolution, the preferred one being Creation or "Intelligent Design".[5] His tenure included the hiring of controversial Education Commissioner Bob Corkins, a former Koch think tank director whom the Topeka Capital Journal termed "didn't bring...any education credentials whatsoever," to the position.[6][7][8]
Political campaign financing
During the Kansas State Senate election campaign of 2008, the Abrams Campaign collected a total of $42,191. His Democratic (incumbent) opponent Winfield's Greta Goodwin, lost the race despite having campaign funds of $78,528.[9]
Some of the top contributors to Abrams's 2008 campaign included the Kansas Republican Senatorial Committee, the Fourth (Congressional) District Republican Committee, the Kansas Republican Party and the National Rifle Association. Koch Industries is a supporter of Abrams.[10] Koch Industries donated $2,000, the maximum that was legally allowed at the time from an individual, company or organization.[11] Political parties are able to donate larger amounts to their own candidates. Koch Industries also donated to the Kansas Republican Senatorial Committee and the Kansas Republican Party which in turn donated to the Abrams campaign.
References
- ^ http://www.flsonline.net/
- ^ http://votesmart.org/issue_rating_detail.php?r_id=4242
- ^ Kansas Legislative Sessions 2015–2016 , Kansas State Legislature. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ Profile from the Kansas Legislature
- ^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9967813/ns/technology_and_science-science
- ^ Bob Corkins -- Mixed Grade, Capitol Journal Editorial Board, November 29, 2006. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ New uproar in education erupts, Lawrence Journal World, Scott Rothschild. October 5, 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ He don't need no education, The Pitch, Justin Kendall, December 1, 2005. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/state_election_results.phtml?s=KS&y=2008
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/opinion/29rich.html
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/us/politics/22scotus.html
External links
- Kansas Senate Biography
- Project Vote Smart profile
- Campaign contributions: 2008
- Abrams's website