Kansas House of Representatives, District 061
The Kansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the legislature of the U.S. state of Kansas. Composed of 125 state representatives from districts with roughly equal populations of at least 19,000, its members are responsible for crafting and voting on legislation, helping to create a state budget, and legislative oversight over state agencies.
Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.
-
Francis Awerkamp
(Rep)
-
Robert Thomas
(Lib)
What makes you the best candidate for this position? What skills, expertise, or competencies qualify you?
What are Kansas's three most important issues, and how do you intend to address them?
How would you make it easier for Kansas citizens to follow bills as they flow through the legislature? What, if any, changes would you propose in the “Gut and Go” process?
Would you support changes to Kansas election laws and voting systems? Why?
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Campaign Phone
(785)844-1164
Personal Biography
Robert Thomas has served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 8 years. Robert has been a counselor and educator for the last 15 years.
Education
B.A. from Kansas Wesleyan University, M.Ed. from Emporia State University
Community/Public Service
Robert Thomas has served in various leadership positions in church and as a Scout Master with B.S.A.
Perspective. While I have lived the majority of my life in Kansas, I have had the opportunity to live and work in many locations. This has given me an understanding that that there are many ways to handle situations, and sometimes we have to get out of our bubble to find the best answer.
The three most important issues for Kansas are education, reproductive freedom, and tax reform.
Education is 56% of the state budget. My educational reforms would include returning fiscal responsibilities and rights to local authorities and make family focused, student centered education the goal.
Reproductive freedom is at risk in Kansas. Despite two thirds of Kansas voting down the 2022 constitutional amendment, Kansas' congress returned to working against women's rights by creating bills that attempt to limit the morning after pill, and birth control in Kansas.
Tax reform would include a long term goal of eliminating state income tax. Nine other states have no income tax while others have partially eliminated income tax.
Kansas can and should create a easy to use website that citizens can monitor all bills and amendments. As far as the "Gut and Go" process, all bills should require a 72 hour period for review of final proposal before voting.
I support changes to election laws that empower the citizens of Kansas to have their voices heard. I support "ranked choice voting". I support moving our Presidential primary day, so that the candidates have not already been selected by the time Kansans get to vote. I support making election day a State Holiday to encourage participation.
To make a selection for a candidate you must first find your races. Would you like to find your races now?
You have already selected the maximum number of candidates for this race.
You must uncheck an existing selection before making another selection.