The Smorgasbord election edition
There's only two weeks left until the election - and a lot of ground still to cover
In the world of politics, it’s been a very long year.
The normally ho-hum primary election was animated by the addition of the Constitutional amendment on reproductive rights. That election brought out record numbers of voters - many of whom were motivated by the prospect of consequential and long-lasting changes to the Kansas Constitution. Kansans spoke - and quite loudly at that.
But all that work and effort will be for naught if we let our foot off the gas now. Much like the famed boxer Muhammad Ali, it seems the Kansas Republican Party’s candidates are playing a game of rope-a-dope this election cycle.
While many candidates, volunteers, and voters have been working tirelessly since last spring, most GOP candidates have largely remained hidden away - saving all of their energy for the last few weeks before election day.
They likely hope everyone will be worn out and unable to finish the fight. But I got news for you - if we don’t finish this fight now, if we don’t push through to the end, we’ll have to fight more, and harder, again and again and again.
So here are a few tips to stay in fighting shape, right until the final bell rings on Nov. 8 - along with a few personal requests from me.
Turnout is critical. The people you support - the issues you support and the rights you care about are on the ballot this November. Early voting has begun - and you can get voting out of the way now so you have no risk of missing out at the last minute. Reno County residents can find voting information here. Statewide, you can find a lot of information here or here.
Check in on your friends. They need to vote too. Make sure you share all the voting information you can with them. Make sure they have a plan. Make sure they are committed to voting. Too many elections are won or lost by a handful of votes not cast by people who care, but failed to make it to the polls.
Remind yourself why you cared in the first place. Far too often, I hear complaints that the system will never change, so what’s the point of voting. The truth is if people like us don’t vote, the system won’t ever change - because the people who love the system just the way it is NEVER miss out on a chance to vote.
It’s not all about you. It’s about your community, your kids, your grandkids, and the future of our state. Things we set in motion - or don’t - today have far reaching effects on future generations of Kansans.
You did all that work over the spring and summer, just to tire out now? Look, I know we’re all worn out. I know it’s been a slog. I know there are other things to do and lives to live. I get it. Really. But we must keep going strong. If you’ve been helping a candidate out, renew your resolve and ask what you can do these last two weeks. Believe me, they need and want your help but they probably feel bad about asking you to give more.
Did I mention voting? Did I mention talking to others about voting? Oh, I did. Well, I’ll say it again - vote. Make sure others vote. Call them. Text them. Message them. Just make sure they know when, how, and why to vote on or before Nov. 8
In the last few weeks, things are getting a little absurd. All over the state, the attack mail has come out in force - saying all sorts of ridiculous things. Here in Hutchinson, for instance, I’ve been dealing with what I’ve dubbed the “Kitty Litter Caucus.” Instead of dealing with real issues, my opponents are spreading lies about litter boxes in the school classrooms.
SPOILER ALERT - I’ve been in classrooms. I’ve seen no children identifying as cats, and I’ve seen no evidence of litter boxes, kitty litter, or even cats, for that matter, in any classroom.
Neither has my granddaughter -
This sort of thing - in different ways - is happening throughout Kansas. Because when candidates don’t want to talk about the positions, ideas, and vision for our state they resort to fear and lies.
Moreover, Democratic candidates in Kansas have been vocal about the truth of taxes in Kansas. While a lot of these extremist candidates to the right campaign on tax policy, their actual voting records are pretty awful. And they’re getting called out for it, and it seems to be pretty uncomfortable, based on the mail and digital ads that are coming out in response.
You’ll hear all sorts of bonkers stuff about candidates challenging GOP candidates in the state. But if you find yourself wondering why your taxes haven’t quite gone down like you’d hoped - it might be worth asking how many Republicans does it take to actually do something for you? Because they’ve been sitting on a HUUUGE supermajority in both the House and Senate for a very long time - and somehow they expect you to believe that a handful of Democrats are to blame.
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of taxes in Kansas, you can listen to the event I held in Hutchinson on Oct. 17.
I also turned it into an episode of That Podcast in Hutch if you’d rather listen. You can follow along with the slides here.
Now, here are a few things you can do to help me, if you’re so inclined.
Put this image as your profile picture on Facebook for the until Nov. 8. Think of it as a digital yard sign - so when people “drive” by your page they see the sign. Last election, we used frames, but that’s not a thing Facebook does anymore. This simple action is far more help than you know. (You should be able to right-click and select ‘save image as’ to download it to your computer).
2. Keep engaging with content! We have ads, videos, posts, pictures, and a whole lot of material out there. The more you share, like, comment, and engage the more it gets seen. Here’s my personal Facebook and my campaign page.
3. In the next few days, you’ll see requests for people to work the phones. We’ll be reaching out to voters over the next two weeks to make sure they know how important their vote will be to this election. If you’ve found yourself re-energized and can’t wait, make sure you’ve filled out this form or shoot an email to thatguyinhutch@gmail.com (the form is better though). In addition to calls, we’ll be taking to the streets again this Saturday morning, starting around 9:30 a.m. Let us know if you can help!
4. Did I mention voting? Did I mention talking to others about voting? Oh, I did. Well, I’ll say it again - vote. Make sure others vote. Call them. Text them. Message them. Just make sure they know when, how, and why to vote on or before Nov. 8
In conclusion…
I know you’re tired. But we can’t stop now.
Vote. And make sure everyone you know votes, too.
Remember why you care.
Don’t buy the lies.
Keep supporting the candidates who represent your values.
And…
Remember to have a little fun, take some time to enjoy the beauty of the world around you, and to feel the warmth of people who love you.
Thanks for subscribing to That Guy in Hutch . This post is public, so feel free to share it. In some cases this publication is paid for by Probst for Kansas, Erin Swearer, treasurer.