TOPEKA — Some residents say disagreements and personality clashes in their small southeast Kansas town could be one of the root causes of a battle over Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s nomination to lead the Kansas Department of Commerce.
Some Republicans and the state’s most influential anti-abortion group are fighting David Toland ‘s nomination, citing two small grants to Thrive Allen County, an economic group he previously managed in Iola. The grants came from a fund tied to the late abortion provider Dr. George Tiller.
The Kansas News Service reports Toland often clashed with Virginia Crossland-Macha when he was CEO of the organization.
Crossland-Macha is vice-chairwoman of the Kansas Republican Party. She said in emails to former Iola Mayor John McRae that she opposes Toland’s politics and what she called his efforts to punish her and other Iola business owners who criticized Thrive initiatives.
A vote on Toland’s confirmation is expected Monday.
