You've got mail....
From Washington, D.C. - on behalf of my opponent. I guess if you can't show up yourself - you can always find an outsider to do the heavy lifting for you.
There’s a thing I do, very much on purpose, that runs counter to all the conventional political wisdom that’s out there.
My mail is calm, not scary, and is focused on sharing with voters my ideas for our community and our state. The prevailing idea is that ALL political mail should be loud, terrifying, and obnoxious - all the better to capture voters’ attention and trigger all the worries they might have.
Some District 102 voters got a taste of that this week, when a Washington, D.C.-based Political Action Group sent out some mail pieces against me. It makes some dubious claims - for instance that I want to take your arms, legs, and kidneys and “punish” you for driving to work.
🙄
This PAC spent nearly $13,000 in the August Primary election against Rep. Jim Minnix and for Rep. Brett Fairchild (both Republicans). And now, it seems, they’re poised to spend some money here in an attempt to knock me off as well.
I think one always has to wonder what’s going on when some D.C. outfit throws money around town. These faceless people behind the PAC aren’t invested in our community, don’t know or care about Hutchinson - yet seem to be willing to burn money to influence voters and change elections.
And as much as I’d like to completely ignore and dismiss such nonsense, the past decade has shown us that you can’t ignore it. These hit pieces are steeped in lies, and are designed to trigger voters around the hot-button issues of the day. I think it’s best to confront them head on.
So….
No, I haven’t voted for higher gas taxes.
No, I’m not a fan of expensive regulations.
No, I don’t want to punish anyone so I can push a Green New Deal.
And, no, I don’t want your arms, legs, or kidneys. I don’t even know what I’d do with them.
I do want to create opportunities all the people in our community.
I want to invest in our children.
I voted to lower your property taxes and to eliminate the sales tax on food. And if I had my way about, you’d not be waiting three years to get the full measure.
I work to support small business and working families.
I support getting medical costs down, and making healthcare and prescription drugs more affordable for more people.
I care about finding real solutions to our mental health crisis.
I care about saving the lives of those in active addiction - so they can one day live a rich life in active recovery.
I want our economy to be more inclusive, resilient, and robust.
I want Kansas to be well positioned for whatever the future may hold.
I don’t always claim to know all the answers, and I think anyone who does is probably not being forthcoming with you. The world is complicated - and policy decisions are never made in a vacuum. Every decision carries implications, and I never make these decisions lightly.
My opponent, however, seems to spend his time posting obnoxious memes and disparaging our community, our schools, and me. I have yet to hear a single serious idea fall from his mouth. In fact, no one ever seems to see him or hear much out of him - until election season when he decides to make a run for the 102nd House District seat.
And during this campaign, he’s hidden himself away in the comfort of his supporters. That’s not how you develop good ideas, and it’s not how you represent a community.
The campaign nonsense works to some degree during election season - but when it’s all over the winner will have to show up and do the real work of making difficult decisions for our community and our state.
I can’t help but wonder if a candidate who can’t be bothered to talk openly with our community will have the nerve and resolve to actually show up for the work.
I’ll stand on my record of service to this community. I don’t have a Washington, D.C. PAC working on my behalf. Just a group of dedicated and community-minded volunteers who believe that I’m the best choice for Hutchinson.
If you feel the same way, there are a few things you can do to help.
Share my video about this, as well as any of the other videos and advertisements we’ve launched in this campaign. Here’s my personal Facebook page and here’s my campaign page. There’s no harm in sharing from both. This will help more people spread our message.
If you can, make a contribution to the campaign.
Talk to your friends in the 102nd District and let them know the distinct differences between me and my opponent.
Make sure you vote - and make sure others know to vote, too. Early voting is happening now at the Reno County Annex, 125 W. 1st Ave., and election day is Nov. 8
Every vote matters, and we can’t take any election for granted. Too many local races are decided by just a handful of votes - and our community suffers when extremists find themselves tasked with doing the real work our community requires.
P.S. Generally don’t put out someone else’s stuff, but it’s probably important for people to get a sense of what this guy’s about. If you’re curious, here are a few links:
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1P6fFwTrOzP2N9-zYQJGVB6sTtavlUKf-
https://www.facebook.com/John4Kansas/
https://www.facebook.com/jnwhitesel/
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.
Please vote for common sense legislators like Jason!!