The most rewarding part campaigning is the people you meet along the way. Folks have been so friendly, sharing their experiences, their concerns – and even the occasional bottle of water!
What I find most often is that we all share many of the same concerns and challenges. I’ve met seniors worried about rising property taxes and the affordability of staying in their homes; and moms like me, concerned about our schools and the cost of college tuition.
But, most often what I hear is that while we are all working hard to raise families, advance in our jobs or build a business, Topeka continues to be a rudderless train wreck lurching from one thing to the next with only more taxes and spending as the result. State government is just not working for us. Folks tell me they want the chaos to end, and they want our families to be the priority, not politics. I agree 100%!. I’ve been given a lot of great ideas and feedback to make that happen.
.
Of course folks have questions, too. The top question I get is
what are the main differences between my opponent and myself?
It's a great question, with
many
answers:
I do not support retroactive tax increases. My opponent joyously voted for a retroactive tax increase
– the largest increase in state history - that will hit families at all income levels. I do not support creating new spending obligations when there are critical functions being neglected. Yet, my opponent supported new spending that puts the state budget in the red in just a few years, requiring cuts to vital services or yet another tax increase.
I do support local district control of our Blue Valley schools. My opponent voted to oppose our local school board
in an effort to strip local authority over our classrooms.
I do support a philosophy of smaller, accountable government that puts our families first. My opponent has a lengthy record voting to grow government and intrude
on our daily lives, including even our local schools.
I do support our students and keeping good schools a priority. My opponent uses our students as political pawns.
Truly the show stopper for me was seeing her on television advocating for the closure of Kansas schools as political leverage – she would put our kids on the street to achieve her political agenda.
I do support good Republican leadership.
The alternative, particularly, now is so far left it’s off a cliff.
My opponent, formerly a registered Democrat, routinely tweets anti-Republican rhetoric
and even endorsed a Democrat opponent of Republican congressman Kevin Yoder. She has also publicly worked to register Democrat voters. The fact is, she makes no bones about the fact that she is a liberal Democrat running in the Republican Primary.
In short, I am a regular, real Republican
who believes in the power of the individual, values the family, expects fiscal responsibility, and knows that government that is most transparent and accountable to the people works best.
Finally, I will continue to emphasize that
I am absolutely committed to depoliticizing our schools
. Political action committees claiming to "stand up" for our schools, only to be a front for a whole menagerie of left-wing causes, serves no purpose other than to stir friction and create divides in our Blue Valley community and schools. It’s time to heal and move past their divisive rhetoric and conduct.
The choice in this race is crystal clear. The official Election Day is Tuesday, August 7
th
,
but voting early ensures nothing comes up to keep you from the polls:
- On July 18th, voting in advance by mail by requesting a ballot here.
- On July 23rd, you can vote early in-person at the Blue Valley Hilltop Campus and beat the lines on Election Day.
Every vote will make a difference in this election!
A great way to support the campaign and inform your neighbors is with a yard sign.
I would be honored if you would ‘fly the flag’ for our campaign in your neighborhood. To request one, simply respond "Yes" to this email, and include your street address. You will be joining many others in our community who have already said yes!
Thank you again for your support – and thank you for remembering to vote!
Upward and onward!
Kellie