Moore 'comfortable' as Democrat

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jul 28, 2002 by Chris Grenz Capital-Journal

By Chris Grenz

The Capital-Journal

Until recently, John Moore was a lifelong Republican who had never placed his name on an election ballot.

But on Aug. 6, his name will appear as the running mate of a candidate seeking the highest office in the state.

And despite four decades as a Republican, he will be listed on the Democratic primary ballot.

"I've been comfortable with the Republican Party and now I'm very comfortable with the Democratic Party," said Moore, who turned 59 on July 13. "I want to participate in the Democratic Party, to talk about its vision, its future, and I want to be very active in expanding the party."

Moore is running for lieutenant governor on a ticket headed by Insurance Commissioner Kathleen Sebelius, the lone Democrat seeking her party's nomination. He first met Sebelius in 1991 when, as chairman-elect of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he was invited to join the Kansas Children's Cabinet, a special commission to address issues facing children at risk.

The group, of which Sebelius was also a member, was composed of prominent business and community leaders from across the state and developed The Blueprint for Change --- something that is still "considered a very viable document," Moore said.

Moore said Sebelius impressed him as being someone who was "very constructive," and his opinion hasn't changed as they continued working together on children's issues for more than 10 years.

Still, he said, he was surprised and flattered when one morning, over breakfast, Sebelius asked Moore if he would join her gubernatorial ticket.

"Everybody assumed Kathleen would run for governor. Everybody knew that she would be a very strong candidate and had an awfully good chance to be elected," he said. "The other side of the coin was that it would be such a dramatic departure from what I've been doing for 30 years."

Moore came to Kansas in 1982 when he joined Cessna Aircraft Co. as a senior vice president of human resources. After accepting Sebelius' offer, he retired July 1 from a 30-year career in the aviation business. Moore said three factors led him to switch his party affiliation:

- He likes Kansas' system of electing a governor and lieutenant governor as a team that campaigns and ultimately, if elected, works together. In the spirit of being a team, he thought it was best that he and Sebelius both be members of the same party.

- He believes that the Democrats "have an opportunity that is almost unique to solidly unite behind Kathleen's vision."

- And, he said, he has a commitment to the vision of the Democratic Party.

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, and Senate President Dave Kerr, R-Hutchinson, himself a candidate for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, often were at odds during the last legislative session. But after Moore switched parties, Hensley called Moore a "bridge builder," and Kerr said he and Moore have been friends for years, and Kerr wished Moore well in his bid to be lieutenant governor.

In a state that is composed heavily of registered Republicans, Moore is hoping he may bring some crossover appeal to Sebelius' ticket.

"We have to draw Republicans in order to win the election," he said.

If elected, Moore said he won't sit idly by in a ceremonial role.

Although he and Sebelius have discussed the possibility of Moore doubling as the secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing --- as is the case with the current lieutenant governor --- nothing is set.

Instead, Moore said, his No. 1 priority would be helping Sebelius "be a great governor."

Chris Grenz can be reached at (785) 295-1190 or cgrenz@cjonline.com.

Kathleen Sebelius introduces John Moore as her running mate during a news conference in May.

FILE/The Capital-Journal