In Kansas, and all across this great country, we need each other.

If we allow ourselves to be divided, to see everything through an “Us vs.

Them” lens, we the people will not benefit.

I want to be your representative, not because I have all the answers or

that I alone can somehow magically change things, but I can and will be

your voice in Topeka, one among many speaking out for the needs of the

people.  I will start my work not from entrenched positions,

but from common ground.  The common ground in recognizing we all

want, need, and deserve three things from our government and society:

Safety. Opportunity. Justice.

The first and most basic need is Safety.  We all want to feel secure in our

homes and community.  I have devoted much of my working life to public

safety, including twenty two years as an air traffic controller and seven

years in civilian roles with the Overland Park Police.  I've seen what it

takes from the inside to keep our communities safe.

Our second need is Opportunity.  We all want and need a fair opportunity

to prosper, to get ahead in the world, not just a struggle to keep our noses

above the water.  We want a chance to provide a decent life for our

children, not wonder if we can feed them.  My years of volunteer work have taken me

to food pantries all over the metro, including right here in Johnson

County.  None of the clients I ever talked to wanted to be there.  They just

want and need what we all deserve: an opportunity.  A truly fair chance.

A vibrant, successful public education system is a vital part of ensuring

opportunity.

And finally, Justice.  Now there's a word that's been thrown about for one

 purpose or another, but I'm talking about the assurance we all

 need and expect that if things do go wrong, the government will have our

 backs.  That if we're harmed or cheated it will be made right.  And if you

 think about it, you'll see it's really the concept of neighbor helping

neighbor.  Because after all, government in these United States isn't some

 “thing” out there over the horizon.  It's us.  Lincoln reminded us it's

 “of the people, by the people, for the people.”  And that, I think, is the

 best reason of all to remember that we do indeed need each other.