In Person - Events  

I attended scheduled Stargazing and Rocket launch along with many other activities at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. The overcast sky eliminated, most stargazing, however, the rocket launch proceeded. There was an indoor planetarium and other activities for the kids including an opportunity to mix an Alka-Seltzer in a closed container and watch it pop into the air!

I attended the Barton County Farm Bureau Association annual meeting. One of Kent’s classmates from the Ellinwood High School Class Of 1971, Rollie W Peter, was honored for his family operating a farm for over 150 years south of Ellinwood. Others given recognition included Jerry Esfeld as a friend of agriculture for her many years of service to the local Farm Bureau.

I attended the Ellinwood Chamber Of Commerce Coffee at the Great Bend Tribune. Andrew Murphy took us on a tour of this longest running business in Barton County which included a demonstration on printing our local Newspaper. I was surprised to learn the rolls of paper weigh 700 pounds and if stretched out would reach 8 miles.

I attended the fundraiser for the Great Bend Zoo. Rosewood winery provided four sample booths and tickets were given to all attending to try up to four different wines. I was surprised that the strawberry and watermelon sweet wine tasted so good.

I helped celebrate 150 years of the Great Bend Tribune newspaper with food, tea, lemonade, Arnold Palmer and water. We helped celebrate the oldest continuing business in Great Bend, started in 1876.

Attended Grand Opening of the Stafford County Port Authority. Carolyn Dunn President of the Port Authority introduced speakers, including Senator Jerry Moran. The Port Authority is the result of a multi year partnership between federal, state and local people to bring about this economic development.

I addressed the Delegate to the AFL–CIO conference held at the Prairie Band Resort and Casino north of Topeka. The Delegates did decide that labor would endorse me in the November General Election. Labor makes our Nation strong!

Visited the Kansas and Shawnee County Democratic Party headquarters. Don Coover Democratic candidate for Congress in the second district visited with us concerning the Farm economy already on the ropes from market disruptions and now a new tariff that applies to the entire purchase price of farm equipment even if only a small part was made with foreign steel. Picked up another 10 Vote NO Yard Signs, which did go up prior to the August 4 election. Success 61% of Kansans voted NO on the Constitutional Amendment!

Attended the Candidate, Meet and Greet hosted by the Kansas Healthcare Associations at the Cedars Event Center in McPherson this evening. One of the candidates from Reno County, Lynnette Krieger-Zook, mentioned that $6.5 billion dollars has been lost to the Kansas economy, which would have been paid to Kansas Hospitals and Healthcare Providers, had the State Legislature expanded Medicaid starting in 2014. Kansas remains one of only 10 States continuing to refuse the 90% match of federal funds.

I attended the Pawnee County Fair Candidate Form just as I have in the past. Twice I have run for this office and my hope this 2026 Campaign is that the third time is the charm.

Traveled to Lyons and visited the Celebration Center where Jack Janssen is honored with the Main Hall being named after him, his plaque out front and the Santa Fe Railroad Caboose in front that used to sit next to his Real Estate business on US 56 in Lyons. I remember Jack serving in the State Senate and sitting with his spouse, Dorothy, in the gallery for State of the State Speeches.

Pawnee County Fair Cat and Hand Pet competition was a surprise. I didn’t expect snakes.

After Harvest Festival Parade 2026 a success. The temperature was climbing, but 81 when we passed the reviewing stand and the announcer told the crowd that Kent and I would be at the Museum Of Ellinwood following the parade and we had it open before the parade ended. Several people have stopped by to say they will go on the tunnel tour at 1 PM and stop by the museum afterwards. No need to wait, we are open now.

I attended the After Harvest Festival Community Barbecue In Ellinwood. Apple pie with homemade ice cream a real treat following my hamburger. Children enjoyed the inflatable jumping houses and the rock climb. My favorite to watch was the face painting.

Attended the Stafford County Fair Farm Bureau Family & Friends Night. Top three finishers in each age group in the tractor pull qualify to participate at the State Fair tractor pull.

Hoisington Public Library hosted “William Allen White and the KKK in Kansas“ this Saturday. A good turnout of 21 people heard the presentation on the late Emporia Gazette Editor deciding to run for Governor in 1924 for a principle. “All men are created equal” was his guiding light as he opposed the Klan being allowed to operate in the State of Kansas. While his campaign was not successful, shortly thereafter, the State of Kansas did ban the Ku Klux Klan as a hate group, the first State to do so. I view my own contest as a message campaign along the same line. All people, both genders, have the right of bodily autonomy, the right to control their own body is my message.

I joined the Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce today, Friday at 10am at the Wolf Park Band Shell for the weekly Chamber Coffee. City Administrator Chris Komarek gave a status report on the solar power plant near the air port which should be completed by the end of the year. The Main Street side walk project will not begin until bids are let around October 2026. Work may start in 2027. Nancy Baird gave a report on the After Harvest Festival saying volunteers were needed to help put up tents and tables Wednesday night.

I viewed the “Fierce Planets Exhibit” at the Schaffer Art Gallery on the Barton Community College Campus July 8. Exhibit is open until August 15, Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission is free. Fierce Planets is an international fiber art display which features textile creations inspired by planetary science.

Cooling off near splash pad while attending the Friday opening events of the Sterling Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration at Sterling Lake. Over the decades, this celebration has evolved into a staple that attracts over 2000 visitors to the city. The festival spans two days and features nearly 40 different family oriented activities. The grand finale, a community barbecue followed by a fireworks extravaganza over Sterling Lake.