Unless you vote, I'm not going to be OK

Early voting is happening now - get out to vote for Hutchinson on or before Nov. 5

Oct 22, 2024

This is the third election I’ve been through, and this one, by far, has been the ugliest.

Some of the stuff you’ve seen has been dirty, and deeply personal. Which isn’t all that surprising when entitled people and groups that are used to getting everything they want encounter someone like me in standing in their way.

At its essence, the election for House District 102 is about the power of money vs the power of people.

On Nov. 5 we’ll find out whether the infinite spending of The Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Americans for Prosperity, and the half-dozen other Dark Money groups that have attacked me can buy them a legislator who will do whatever they want. I have always put my faith in the power of people to do the right thing.

And what they want, just so we’re all VERY clear is a 0 percent tax rate for wealthy corporations and to further indulge Republican leadership’s addiction to money and power. (If you don’t want to read the whole story, at least go listen to the audio recordings. It’s a real learning opportunity).

These groups have lied about my voting record, done their level best to scare the daylights of out Hutchinson voters, and everything they do reeks of the sort of desperation that only oozes from uber-wealthy types who insulate themselves from the troubles of the real world with a security blanket of money, booze, and prescription drugs.

Let’s be clear about what’s happening in this election - These wealthy elites around the state are worried they’re going to lose their supermajority in the Kansas Legislature. And that means they’ll have to work harder to exploit Kansans and get their tax cuts and taxpayer funded corporate welfare benefits.

Also, when that supermajority breaks, Kansas might actually see some commonsense policies come out - things like medical marijuana and lower healthcare costs.

Heck, we might even be able to get some real tax cuts for actual people without the Kansas Chamber pushing everyone out of the way like that one obnoxious and greedy Billy-goat that’s always being a jerk to other goats in the petting zoo.

No one in Hutchinson can tell you a single thing of substance about my opponent. He hasn’t talked about his values, his ideas, his thoughts, or what he hopes to accomplish in office. He hasn’t explained why, of all the places he might have decided to run for the Kansas Legislature, he landed in Hutchinson on the day before the filing deadline.

His one and only talking point is me, like he and his handlers have some sort of weird, unhealthy obsession.

Meanwhile, there are numerous groups running my opponent’s campaign. By my count there’s the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Americans for Prosperity, Service First PAC, Prairie Fire PAC, Lift Up Kansas PAC, and the Flint Hills Opportunity Institute. There’s probably some more that I’ve missed. They are all sending slanderous mail and videos in an attempt to buy themselves another seat in the Kansas Legislature.

Even just a cursory view of a handful of reports shows the Kansas Chamber alone spent nearly $13,000 to help my opponent beat a legitimate local Republican candidate in the August primary election. Americans for Prosperity chipped in roughly $1,500.

Based on the amount of mail you’ve received and the number of trashy ads you’ve seen, I can’t imagine what we’ll learn from the next round of reports. But I assure you they’ve spent far more than $13,000.

And the question we need to ask is “why?”

Why, of all the places my opponent could’ve chosen to run, why did he choose Hutch?

Why does he supposedly want to represent our community in Topeka?

Why are these big money groups, funded largely by the wealthiest corporations in Kansas, spending so much money to get him elected?

Why did he sign a lease that started on the filing deadline and ends right after the election?

Why hasn’t he had to work a real job like the rest of us for the past six months - and why does he have the resources and time to dedicate all of his time to campaigning?

“Sweely said in an interview that he had been offered employment in Reno County, but hadn’t accepted a position so he could focus on his primary campaign.” - Kansas Reflector, June 7, 2024.

There’s a good number of other questions I’d like to ask, but we’ll leave it at that.

Your Vote Matters - locally more than anywhere else

I enjoy broad support from different groups that have business in Topeka, and especially from people in Hutchinson who passionately believe in the work I do for our community. I will always be grateful for that support.

Yet with only two weeks left until the last chance to vote - Election Day is Nov. 5 - what matters most at this point in the race is your vote.

Do not assume I can win without your vote. I can’t.

Do not think for a moment that someone else will pick up the slack, so you can sit this one out. Each person gets one vote, and yours is more important than ever.

Our elections are always decided by the people who show up, or don’t show up, to vote.

Nowhere does your vote matter than it does when you vote local - on local issues and in local races. Too many times we’ve watched good people lose their races by just a handful of votes.

Here’s some important information about voting…

You can get a sample ballot, check your voter registration information, find your polling location, and check the status of your advance ballot here.

I encourage everyone to take advantage of the early voting dates and locations. I used to be a day-of voter, but I’ve found that life can get quite hectic and unpredictable, so I enjoy that I can choose to vote on a day and time that works best for me.

In the meantime, I’ve changed my Facebook and Instagram profile and cover photos to my Vote Local/Vote Probst images. These are sort of like digital yard signs. I’ve included the files here - and I encourage you to use them on your social media as a sign of support. Share them with friends, and let’s make sure that we are all working together and using our votes to stand up for Hutchinson.

Election day is quickly approaching - we’re right at two weeks away.

We have to keep pushing through all the way to the end. There’s too much at stake for our community, and I’m not willing to let my corporate-owned carpetbagger of an opponent use Hutchinson to further enrich his friends.

I hope you won’t either - by using your power to Vote Local on or before Nov. 5.