Biographical Information
phone
785-488-3728
Personal Biography
Married, mother of 4 and grandmother of 9. Active in my church. Former County Commissioner for 6 years, Planning and Zoning Board for 8 years. Worked in the public school system for 16+ years.
Community/Public Service
Chairman of the BBC Benevolence Fund, grant writer for school and sports complex in Bennington, former Vacation Bible School Director, organized staining of community benches, etc
Education
Business Adminisration, Brown Mackie College
Ballot City
Bennington
County
Ottawa
Home Phone
(785) 488-3728
What makes you the best candidate for this position? What skills, expertise, or competencies qualify you?
I bring a combination of real world experience and a proven record of public service. Before serving in the Kansas House, I spent six years as a county commissioner and eight years on the county zoning board. Those experiences taught me how local government works, how budgets are built, and how to work with people who have different perspectives. During my first term in the Legislature, I’ve worked hard to be accessible, listen to constituents, and make thoughtful decisions based on facts and the long-term interests of Kansas. I believe in being prepared, asking questions, and treating everyone with respect, even when we sometimes disagree. My goal is to be a common sense voice who puts the people of my district first.
What are Kansas's three most important issues, and how do you intend to address them?
-Property tax relief: Families, farmers, homeowners, and businesses want a tax system that is fair and sustainable. I support looking for responsible ways to reduce the property tax burden while ensuring that essential local services remain viable.
-Strengthening rural Kansas: Our rural communities need access to quality healthcare, good schools, reliable infrastructure, and economic opportunities. I support rural hospitals, expanding workforce opportunities, improving broadband, and work on policies that help communities grow.
- Responsible budgeting: Kansans expect their government to spend taxpayer dollars wisely. I will continue going over state programs carefully, looking for better solutions and cutting out unnecessary spending,
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?
Transparency is vital to build public trust. I support making legislative information easier for citizens to follow by providing timely bill summaries in plain language, making committee actions easier to locate online, and improving communication regarding hearing schedules. Regarding the “Gut and Go” process, while amendments are often necessary as legislation evolves, I believe significant changes should allow legislators as well as the public enough time to review the language before final action is taken. Finding a balance between efficiency and transparency is a must to promote public confidence.
Would you support changes to Kansas election laws and voting systems? Why?
I believe Kansans should have confidence that every eligible voter can cast a ballot and that every legal vote is counted accurately. I am open to considering election law changes when there is clear evidence these changes will improve security, transparency, voter confidence, or administrative efficiency. Such changes should be carefully evaluated, bipartisan when possible, and implemented in ways that maintain public trust while preserving access for all eligible voters. Our election system should always strive to be secure, accurate, transparent, and worthy of the confidence of all Kansans.