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OVERLAND PARK, KAN -
An Overland Park man who became a familiar figure after his daughter's murder now hopes that people will recognize him as a political candidate.
Greg Smith, the father of murdered teen Kelsey Smith, is challenging Democratic incumbent Lisa Benlon for her seat representing old Overland Park in the Kansas Legislature.
Kelsey Smith was just 18 when she was abducted from a metro Target and murdered in 2007. Her father, a Republican, says that his daughter's murder is part of why he is running for office.
"Am I running because of what happened to Kelsey? That's part of it, absolutely," said Greg Smith. "I don't want that tragedy to be just a tragedy. I want something good to come out of it."
Smith helped Kansas lawmakers pass the Kelsey Smith Act, and now he wants to join them in the legislature. He includes a picture of his daughter on the back of the push cards he gives out to voters, and includes a short bio mentioning her murder and his desire to represent voters in Topeka.
"In a state race particularly, name recognition is very, very important so yea, does it help," said Smith. "Is it something that I'm glad happened, absolutely not."
At least one political science expert says that Smith is walking a fine line in his run for office.
"He has to be careful not to overplay the sympathy card," said Dale Neuman, a political science professor at UMKC. However, Neuman does say that, whether it's fair or not, his name and story recognition could play a roll in the race.
"His name, the issue, his daughter, the tragedy may make a difference," said Neuman.
The 22nd District in Johnson County is almost evenly split between registered Democrats and Republicans, although it has trended Democratic in recent elections.
The incumbent, Rep. Lisa Benlon, who also has a compelling story as a cancer survivor, declined to talk to FOX 4 News about Smith, but she did release a statement which read "Everyone in this community mourns the tragic loss of Kelsey Smith. I first ran for the legislature years ago because I care about all the children and families in Johnson County, and I am sure Greg does too. That's something we all share in this community."
Rob Low, edited by Jason Vaughn
Greg Smith, the father of murdered teen Kelsey Smith, is challenging Democratic incumbent Lisa Benlon for her seat representing old Overland Park in the Kansas Legislature.
Kelsey Smith was just 18 when she was abducted from a metro Target and murdered in 2007. Her father, a Republican, says that his daughter's murder is part of why he is running for office.
"Am I running because of what happened to Kelsey? That's part of it, absolutely," said Greg Smith. "I don't want that tragedy to be just a tragedy. I want something good to come out of it."
Smith helped Kansas lawmakers pass the Kelsey Smith Act, and now he wants to join them in the legislature. He includes a picture of his daughter on the back of the push cards he gives out to voters, and includes a short bio mentioning her murder and his desire to represent voters in Topeka.
"In a state race particularly, name recognition is very, very important so yea, does it help," said Smith. "Is it something that I'm glad happened, absolutely not."
At least one political science expert says that Smith is walking a fine line in his run for office.
"He has to be careful not to overplay the sympathy card," said Dale Neuman, a political science professor at UMKC. However, Neuman does say that, whether it's fair or not, his name and story recognition could play a roll in the race.
"His name, the issue, his daughter, the tragedy may make a difference," said Neuman.
The 22nd District in Johnson County is almost evenly split between registered Democrats and Republicans, although it has trended Democratic in recent elections.
The incumbent, Rep. Lisa Benlon, who also has a compelling story as a cancer survivor, declined to talk to FOX 4 News about Smith, but she did release a statement which read "Everyone in this community mourns the tragic loss of Kelsey Smith. I first ran for the legislature years ago because I care about all the children and families in Johnson County, and I am sure Greg does too. That's something we all share in this community."
Rob Low, edited by Jason Vaughn
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