“As Chair, part of my duty is to recognize and respect our history while stewarding and leading us forward. Recently, while perusing the roll call sheet binder, I was humbled to see the names of some of our current core members on sheets from the early 2010s. That makes me proud to be a Republican here. As new members join and our county evolves, it is my responsibility to ensure our core values remain steadfast amid resignations and appointments. District One boasts a great mix of seasoned delegates and younger families, and I trust their decisions. I know that this Thursday, many years—perhaps generations—of experience will guide their votes. Therefore, I cannot overemphasize the importance of precinct positions! County Commissioners, State Representatives, and Senators can all be appointed through precinct conventions. That said, we still have open precinct seats in Bourbon County.

This brings me to a frustrating trend that negatively impacts our communities. I would expect every disgruntled resident in Bourbon County to line up to fill the very positions they are unhappy with. Social media platforms like Facebook are filled with self-proclaimed experts expressing their opinions, yet I don’t see their names on the candidate lists. I closely monitored the list of individuals running for various positions (school boards, FSCC trustees, commissioners, city roles, etc.) this season, and at one point, I was deeply concerned that we would face an abundance of empty seats come election time. In some cases, we still do.

My path in politics was initially shaped by a single mantra: ‘You don’t get to complain if you don’t vote.’ That’s no longer enough. I would extend it to this: You don’t get to complain if you’re not actively working to make a positive change. So, Bourbon County, it’s time to get involved. Ask not what your county can do for you, but what you can do for your county. (Yes, I just quoted a Democrat—sort of.) Many will say they lack the time, and I understand. As a mother of six, I know time is fleeting, and we’re all busy. However, I refuse to hand my children a world I didn’t help improve or fail to show them how to lead others in doing the same. My own mother joined a fraternity in a small western Kansas town because no female organizations existed to serve the community! Let me be clear: not everyone needs to run for office to make an impact. Volunteering, joining or creating a committee or club, or simply picking up trash during a walk are all ways to make a difference. Don’t wait for controversy to demand your involvement.

In closing, I liken an abundance of candidates to a church running out of seats for its congregation. The more, the merrier—that’s what primaries are for, right? (Elections, not church seats.)”

The newly appointed candidate will have to be approved by the governor’s office before taking his or her seat on the commission.