Former Minority Policy Chair, Kansas State House of Representatives

Representative, Kansas State House of Representatives, District 10, 2013-2017

Candidate, Kansas State House of Representatives, 2008

Former Member, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, Kansas State House of Representatives

Former Member, Children and Seniors Committee, Kansas State House of Representatives

Founding Member, Douglas County Food Policy Council

Former Member, Federal and State Affairs Committee, Kansas State House of Representatives

Former Ranking Minority Member, Health and Human Services Committee, Kansas State House of Representatives

Former Member, Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight Committee, Kansas State House of Representatives

Former Member, Information Technology Committee, Kansas State House of Representatives

Member, Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight, Kansas State House of Representatives

Training/ Professional Development Manager, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, 2015-present

Youth Mobilization Manager, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, 2007-present

National Youth Engagement Advisor, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, 2013-2015

National Healthy Out-of-School Time Advisor, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, 2012-2013

Web and Communications Manager, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, 2006-2007

Marketing and Communications Intern, William J. Clinton Foundation, 2006

Board Member, Douglas County Historical Society, present

Member, Plymouth Congregational Church

Former Moderator, Plymouth Congregational Church

Member, Board of Directors, Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 2008

Priority Issues:

There are a number of issues for which I care deeply, and the reality is that so many of them are interconnected and complex, making it difficult to simply list a "platform" of issues. Instead, I have a broad set of goals for which I'm striving. Some are related to policies and some are related to the process--how our government works.

I'll start with the area over which I have the most control: me. I take my job as State Representative very seriously, but I don't take myself too seriously. I find that things start to get ugly in the Statehouse when one lets their personal interests and ego drive decision making. I prefer to work collaboratively with my colleagues--finding common ground whenever possible and respectfully disagreeing when not. Unfortunately the polarization of the national political scene has made its way to Topeka, which means it's increasingly difficult to move good ideas forward. I will do my part to promote a collaborative and transparent legislative process that is informed by facts and thoughtful debate.

I don't believe that our elected leaders are doing doing enough to support the health, development and education of children in Kansas. Rates of childhood poverty are increasing. Funds are being syphoned away from programs designed to children who need the most support in order to pay for tax cuts for corporations. Classroom sizes are increasing, making it harder for kids to receive the attention they need from teachers. I will promote and support policy ideas that make it easier for kids to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes they need to become happy, healthy and successful adults.

I think we need to reimagine how are state government operates. Whether we're eating at a restaurant and shopping online, we expect exceptional customer service and a product that works. We should expect the same from our government, which impacts our lives on a daily basis. Like any good company, we need to be recruiting and supporting talented employees, investing in the best infrastructure and technology, and keeping up with what our customers want and need. In some cases, this may mean cutting services or programs. In other cases, this may mean creating or expanding them. The better that our agencies and state programs function, the better our students, families and business will do.