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Kansas House of Representatives, District 033 Choose 1

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.

Voter Guide

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Emily Blanks (Dem)

Biographical Information

What makes you the best candidate for this position? What skills, expertise, or competencies qualify you?

Candidate has not yet responded.

What are Kansas's three most important issues, and how do you intend to address them?

Candidate has not yet responded.

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?

Candidate has not yet responded.

Would you support changes to Kansas election laws and voting systems? Why?

Candidate has not yet responded.

Voter Guide

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Carolyn Caiharr (Rep)

Biographical Information

What makes you the best candidate for this position? What skills, expertise, or competencies qualify you?

Candidate has not yet responded.

What are Kansas's three most important issues, and how do you intend to address them?

Candidate has not yet responded.

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?

Candidate has not yet responded.

Would you support changes to Kansas election laws and voting systems? Why?

Candidate has not yet responded.

Voter Guide

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Romona C. Smith (Dem)

Biographical Information

Campaign Web Site http://www.romonaforkansas.com
Campaign Phone 913-653-4364
Instagram @romonaforkansas
Personal Biography I’m Romona Smith, your neighbor here in Wyandotte County, not a career politician. I’ve lived in this district since 2014 and own two small businesses here. I live one block from the construction site of our community’s major developments, so I see firsthand what’s coming to our county and who it’s built for. My professional background is 15+ years in healthcare IT and systems modernization, working with the VA, Department of Defense, Cerner/Oracle, Centene, and Blue Cross Blue Shield; work that
Community/Public Service Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care; member of the Gateway to Health planning board; Vernon Center Digital Literacy & Community Access Initiative serving underserved residents; member, Kansas Federation of Democratic Women; member, Bonner Springs NAACP Branch #4029, member, Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus.
Education MBA, Healthcare Management — Park University Graduate Certificate, Healthcare Leadership — Park University BS, Management and Human Resources — Park University, 2011 AAS, Business Administration — Johnson County Community College, 2009
Ballot City Kansas City
County WYCO
Home Phone (913) 653-4364

What makes you the best candidate for this position? What skills, expertise, or competencies qualify you?

The responsibility of a state rep is managing complex budgets, holding large institutions accountable, and delivering results exactly what I’ve done for 15+ years in healthcare IT and program management with the VA, DoD, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. I’ve led multimillion-dollar system implementations and navigated federal compliance requirements, the same skills a state rep needs. My MBA in Healthcare Management gives me direct expertise on healthcare policy. I also serve as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, working within legal systems for people who need a voice. I am a small business owner living one block from major developments planned for our community. I bring both the expertise and the lived stake in getting this right.

What are Kansas's three most important issues, and how do you intend to address them?

First, economic opportunity: Partnership with local government & the State to address property taxes across Wyco and ensuring major investments like the Mattel complex and the Chiefs stadium must benefit everyone in Wyandotte County, not just a few . I’ll push for real transparency and accountability & visibility on how public dollars are spent. Second, healthcare: no Kansan should have to choose between prescriptions and rent. I’ll fight for Medicaid expansion and against barriers like unregulated health-sharing ministries that can deny claims. Third, education: every child deserves a fully funded classroom. I’ll oppose diverting public dollars to private-school tax credits when our public schools, and our kids need it most.

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?

Kansans deserve to see how a bill changes before it becomes law, not after, and my constituents deserve to hear from me REGULARLY. I’d push for a mandatory public notice and comment period any time a bill’s language is substantially replaced late in the process, and no more overnight rewrites with zero opportunity for testimony. I’d also support a simple, searchable public tracker so any constituent can follow a bill’s actual text changes in plain language, not just its number, from introduction to final vote. Government works better when people can watch it work. Advocacy, transparency, PROCESS and PUBLICATION, and COMMUNICATION.

Would you support changes to Kansas election laws and voting systems? Why?

Yes. Kansas should make it easier, not harder, to vote — that’s the core of civic opportunity: every vote counts, every voice is heard. I’d support expanding advance voting locations and hours, automatic voter registration when Kansans interact with the DMV, and protecting no-excuse advance ballot access for working families, seniors, and voters with disabilities. I’d oppose measures that add barriers without solving a documented problem. I’d also push to modernize how counties report results and communicate with voters, so trust in our elections comes from transparency, not restriction. Kansans shouldn’t have to choose between working their shift and casting their ballot.