Ballot City
Manhattan
Campaign Phone
785-587-0798
Personal Biography
Manhattan in 1992 has been my home for over 30 years. As a public school teacher by profession, I dedicated more than 18 years to teaching at Ogden Elementary School in the Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 school district, and I continue to substitute whenever possible. From 2013 to 2023, I served on the Manhattan City Commission, including two terms as mayor in 2016-2017 and again in 2020. Currently, I am honored to serve as the State Senator for District 22, committed to advocating for the needs of our
Education
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Developmental Psychology from the Ohio State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Kansas State University.
Community/Public Service
I am an active community member and currently serve as President of American Association for University Women (AAUW) and on the Kansas Advisory Committee for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. I served on the Board of Directors for National Association of Mental Illness, Board of Directors for Friends of McCain, was president of Rotary Club of Community Action Against Human Trafficking, and was president of NEA Manhattan-Ogden. I was recognized by the League of Women Voters Manhattan Branch with the Good Governance Award in September 2023, recipient of the National Foundation for Women Legislators as the Elected Women of Excellence Award winner in 2019, Manhattan-Ogden USD383 Teacher of the Year, 2010-2011 and Kansas Department of Education Horizon Award Winner, 2004.
As a first-grade teacher and city commissioner and mayor, I learned the importance of relationships, being patient, and persistent to reach a desired goal.
My background provided me a foundation to understand budgets, taxes, economic development, infrastructure, and the need for good legislative policies for help families and communities prosper.
As state Senator, I serve on the following committees: Taxation and Assessment; Transportation; Commerce Committee (Ranking Member); and Joint State Building Construction Committee. I delivered bipartisan solutions whether it’s reducing taxes, driving economic growth, or securing funding for our public schools.
I listen, I do my homework and I work relentlessly to get positive outcomes.
We agree that lack of access to healthcare is a major issue, and one part of that solution is Medicaid Expansion. I will continue to support Medicaid Expansion legislation. Most sectors in our communities have strongly advocated for Medicaid Expansion.
As a member of the Taxation and Assessment Committee, we were able to pass some good legislation this year, but there’s more work to do alleviate the tax burden on our families.
Protecting reproductive rights is essential for women's health and family health. Twenty-five pieces of legislation were introduced last session to remove these rights, and five did become law. Government does not need to play a role in these decisions.
I send out a newsletter each week with links to upcoming bills, committee hearings on bills, and how to submit a letter in support or opposing a bill, and if bills passed how legislators voted. There are key contacts representing different organizations and communities, I often reach out to them for information as well to let them know what’s coming up.
The “Gut and Go” process is a problem. Most legislators don’t know when it’s going to happen in their committee or on the floor. It’s dubious but permitted process and only legislation can fix it, but I don’t believe there is political will to take on that lift.
Yes, I would support changes to Kansas election laws and voting systems. We are making it harder and harder for people to register to vote and to vote. We should examine methods to increase voter turnout that have worked in other states.
Campaign Phone
785-477-2730
Personal Biography
Career educator with 43+ years in public, private and parochial schools as teacher/coach/administrator. Now work with college, university and high school students through state workforce development initiative to build up career, technical and vocational education.
Education
B.A. Sterling College, KS; M.S. West Texas State University
Community/Public Service
Public Health Advisory Board, KSU Council for Public School Improvement Executive Board, PACT suicide awareness and prevention ambassador, Manhattan Mercury-Most Admired Citizens Award and active member of St. Isidore's Catholic Church.
I am a proven leader for a time such as this. As a career educator I have worked with diverse communities to reach goals for success. I will bring those same attributes as your Senator.
“I will be more than a voice for Riley County in Topeka, but be a man of action-if elected I will get things done. As a Republican I can hold Republican Leadership accountable…. I want to bring a commonsense approach to Kansas politics, to fight for our constitutional freedoms by following the law, to be fiscally responsible and to protect children while preparing them for success”
Taxes:
It is simple. We should tax property for property services and tax people for people services. We must reduce our reliance on property taxes to fund government. We must LOWER taxes through fiscal responsibility.
Business Growth/Economic Development: Kansas is in an ideal situation to attract entrepreneurs and businesses from other states. As your State Senator, I will support and fight for a pro-business environment free from needless regulations and constraints. We must support business growth in Kansas! Workforce development-incentivize business-address childcare concerns and affordable housing.
Reform: People are fed up, they don't see change. What we've been doing isn't working. Safety/security/keeping people in Kansas.
Through providing them resources-the KS legislative website is detailed- it just needs to be more user friendly. Newsletters from my office highlighting bills of importance.
Making sure the bill that's voted on is the bill that was presented.
Making them safe, accessible and secure.
