Two former Kansas Governors with connections to Salina have made an endorsement in a local legislative race. Both are endorsing the democratic challenger over a republican incumbent.

Former Governors Bill Graves and John Carlin have endorsed Gerrett Morris in the 69th District race.

Carlin, a democrat, served two terms as Governor, from 1979 – 1987. Carlin was born in Salina, and raised in the Saline County community of Smolan.

The Republican Graves also served two terms as Governor, from 1995 – 2003. Graves was born and raised in Salina, and graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University.

In a media release the former Governors said “Policies enacted by Governor Brownback and his supporters in the House and Senate have harmed Kansas. We need change. For this reason, we’ve endorsed Gerrett Morris, Democrat for House District 69 over incumbent JR Claeys. We need committed leaders in both the Republican and Democratic party to work together and repeal the Governor’s tax experiment so we can begin to move Kansas forward.”

Morris is challenging incumbent Republican Representative J.R. Claeys, who has represented the district since 2013.