I’m a life long Kansan .

I was raised in Pittsburg and attended Pittsburg Public Schools.

I attended Pittsburg State University and the University of Kansas.

I’ve been married to my husband Henry for 20 years this coming May.

I’ve spent the last 17 years devoted to raising our 3 children. Aria is a junior at Pittsburg High School, Connor is an 8th grader at Pittsburg Community Middle School and Dante is a 3rd grader at Westside Elementary School.

And, of course, I’ve spent the past 2 years serving as your State Representative for the 3rd District.

I’ve also spent the last 14 years as a community activist and volunteer.

I served on the USD 250 Superintendent Search Committee which resulted in the hiring of our current superintendent, Gary Price.

I’m in my 12th year on the board of directors of Elm Acres Youth and Family Services, including past terms as President and Vice-president.

I’m in my 12th year as a member of the PTO, including my 9th year as president or co-president.

I served on the committee to raise funds for the Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Skate Park Project for the youth of our community.

I’ve been a YMCA Youth Sports Coach for many years and continue to volunteer for many other local charitable events.

I serve on the Business Education Alliance committee for the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce and USD 250.

I also serve on the board of directors for the ATC (Alliance for Technology Commercialization), a not-for-profit corporation that brings together the resources of the KTEC (Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation), the City of Pittsburg, and Pittsburg State University to strengthen the economic base of Kansas, particularly in Southeast Kansas.

(ATC was established to help develop, transfer, and commercialize new technologies.  The objective is to create high value jobs and increase prosperity in Pittsburg, Southeast Kansas, and the region.

The ATC targets researchers, entrepreneurs, inventors, and existing businesses that have developed or are developing new technologies.  These same services are offered to non-technology based companies by other resources at PSU's Business and Technology Institute.)

I’ve also spent over a decade as a political volunteer.

I was the Crawford County chair or co-chair on all of Governor Kathleen Sebelius’ statewide campaigns.

Now, having just completed my first term as State Rep, I can tell you it is an amazing, enlightening, and often frustrating process that goes on in the Kansas Legislature.

During the 2006 session, we had 774 bills introduced and 609 bills that were carried over from the 2005 session.  That meant that 1,383 bills were “alive” last session.  Of that, 219 actually became laws.

All would have had a bill introduction, most would have had hearings in committee, and many would have been worked.  Some end up combined with other bills, as well.  And some, just probably are not worth becoming law.

My first term, I had the good fortune of serving on all the House committees I had requested: Taxation, Transportation, Higher Education and Environment.  I also served on multiple sub-committees within Taxation, Transportation and Higher Education, and I was allowed to serve on one conference committee for the House Environment committee.

Beginning this past year, I have the privilege of serving on the Joint Committee for Kansas Security.

And I have the honor of being the current Chairperson of the SEK Legislative Delegation.

As your Representative, I’ve worked hard to be an advocate for our district and every person who lives in it that has needed a little help.  I’ve spent countless hours on the phone, on doorsteps, in the Capitol, in committee rooms, listening and learning about the issues that affect our lives and livelihoods.

I’ve tried to represent our district with reason, compassion and fairness.  I’ve studied the facts, listened to testimony and opinions, and sought out advice from many sources here at home who have knowledge and expertise within a particular subject area.

I keep in contact with representatives from PSU, Mt. Carmel, KNEA, local attorneys, physicians, and social services agencies, area Pharmacists, our Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, and many others.

I always make an effort to be available to constituents and to keep the lines of communication open with our City, County and community at large.

My commitment to you is simple. I will be a positive, caring legislator who works hard every day for the people I represent.

I will continue to be a strong voice in Topeka for Pittsburg and SEK, and I will be a voice of reason.

The upcoming election provides us with an opportunity to support candidates with an understanding of what we need to make our families and communities stronger, safer and more prosperous.

It’s an opportunity to elect leaders with a positive vision and a strong voice.

I’m prepared to be your voice and continue working for you and your family as your State Representative.

I hope you will support me this November 7th.