Kansas Helen Podcast

Robert Thomas is running for Kansas House District 61, representing parts of Jackson, Pottawatomie, and Riley counties, including Holton, Delia, Westmoreland, St. Marys, Onaga, and parts of Manhattan.

In this portion of the conversation, Thomas and Reicher discuss marijuana policy and broader drug laws, focusing on individual choice and the role of government in regulating what people can do with their own bodies. They talk about how Kansas compares to surrounding states, noting that many nearby states have already legalized or decriminalized marijuana.

The discussion also covers potential benefits and concerns, including tax revenue, product safety, and access for medical use, particularly for veterans and individuals dealing with chronic pain or illness. They contrast marijuana with other substances like alcohol and prescription medications, and question why certain substances are treated differently under the law.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 61, including the most recent campaign finance analysis here: https://kansashelen.substack.com/s/kansas-house

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen Youtube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

#kansas #ksleg #vote #2026elections #kansashouse

Ryan Gilbert is running in a packed Democrat primary in August to determine who will run against Estes in November.

Gilbert explains why he decided to run and what he hopes to bring to the race.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas’ 4th Congressional District, including the most recent campaign finance analysis here: https://kansashelen.substack.com

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen YouTube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

#kansas #ksleg #vote #2026elections #kansas4

Robert Thomas is running for Kansas House District 61, representing parts of Jackson, Pottawatomie, and Riley counties, including Holton, Delia, Westmoreland, St. Marys, Onaga, and parts of Manhattan.

In this portion of the conversation, Thomas and Reicher discuss how political debates have shifted toward more extreme positions, using abortion as an example of an issue where there is less room for middle-ground discussion. Thomas reflects on how public discourse often highlights the most extreme viewpoints, while many voters fall somewhere in between.

The conversation also focuses on voter priorities, with Reicher emphasizing that many Kansans are more concerned with everyday needs like cost of living rather than ongoing political debates. They discuss how issues that have already been decided by voters continue to be revisited in the Statehouse, and how that can contribute to frustration among constituents who feel their voices are not being respected.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 61, including the most recent campaign finance analysis here: https://kansashelen.substack.com/s/kansas-house

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen Youtube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

#kansas #ksleg #vote #2026elections #kansashouse

Ryan Gilbert is running in a packed Democrat primary in August to determine who will run against Estes in November.

In this full conversation, Ryan Gilbert walks through the experiences that shaped his decision to run and the perspective he brings to the race. He discusses living through financial instability and how those experiences inform his views on economic inequality, class divisions, and the realities many Kansans face when trying to meet basic needs. He explains how those conditions connect to larger political systems, including the role money plays in determining who can run for office, who receives party support, and how access to power is structured.

The conversation moves through his views on government accountability, including policing and public safety, where he emphasizes transparency, responsibility, and the need for systems that reflect the communities they serve. He also outlines positions on healthcare, including removing profit barriers to access, as well as broader policy areas like marijuana legalization, energy transitions, infrastructure, and wages.

Gilbert shares his personal background in depth, including time spent in the foster care system, experiences with abuse, and how those events shaped his understanding of institutions and their impact on people. He discusses how those experiences influence his approach to policy, particularly around child welfare, justice, and support systems. The conversation also covers identity, perception, and how different lived experiences affect how individuals are treated within systems.

Toward the end of the conversation, Gilbert addresses his positions on civil rights, including trans rights, and discusses what he sees as current risks at both the state and national level. He frames these issues as fundamental rights that should not be subject to political negotiation. He also talks about his campaign strategy, running in a competitive primary, and what he believes representation should look like for Kansas at the federal level.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas’ 4th Congressional District, including the most recent campaign finance analysis here: https://kansashelen.substack.com

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen YouTube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

#kansas #ksleg #vote #2026elections #kansas

Robert Thomas is running for Kansas House District 61, representing parts of Jackson, Pottawatomie, and Riley counties, including Holton, Delia, Westmoreland, St. Marys, Onaga, and parts of Manhattan.

In this portion of the conversation, the discussion centers on political parties and growing frustration with partisan division. Reicher explains her decision to remain unaffiliated, describing how aligning with a party can create expectations and limit the ability to critique positions across the political spectrum.

Thomas responds by noting the growth of independent voters, particularly among younger people, and discusses how increasing division between parties is making it more difficult for individuals to fully align with one side. The conversation highlights concerns about party loyalty, voter independence, and the broader shift in how people engage with politics.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 61, including the most recent campaign finance analysis here: https://kansashelen.substack.com/s/kansas-house

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen Youtube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

#kansas #ksleg #vote #2026elections #kansashouse

Robert Thomas is running for Kansas House District 61, representing parts of Jackson, Pottawatomie, and Riley counties, including Holton, Delia, Westmoreland, St. Marys, Onaga, and parts of Manhattan.

In this portion of the conversation, Thomas discusses his views on the role of government, particularly around limiting its scope and focusing on core responsibilities. He reflects on his shift toward Libertarian ideas, emphasizing principles like financial responsibility and allowing individuals to make their own choices without unnecessary government interference.

The discussion also explores the balance between individual rights and government authority, including the idea that government should primarily exist to protect rights, provide essential services, and resolve disputes when rights conflict. Thomas connects this to constitutional principles, noting that many amendments were designed to limit government power rather than expand it.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 61, including the most recent campaign finance analysis here: https://kansashelen.substack.com/s/kansas-house

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen Youtube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

#kansas #ksleg #vote #2026elections #kansashouse

Robert Thomas is running for Kansas House District 61, representing parts of Jackson, Pottawatomie, and Riley counties, including Holton, Delia, Westmoreland, St. Marys, Onaga, and parts of Manhattan.

In this portion of the conversation, Thomas and Reicher discuss frustrations with how time is used during the Kansas legislative session. They talk about the limited number of days lawmakers have to meet and how some of that time is spent on issues they feel may not reflect the most pressing concerns of constituents.

The conversation also touches on education policy, including debates around school requirements and local control, as well as broader concerns about property taxes and how education funding connects to them. They question how legislative priorities are set and whether those decisions are aligned with what voters are actually asking for, while also reflecting on how power and decision-making operate within the Statehouse.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 61, including the most recent campaign finance analysis here: https://kansashelen.substack.com/s/kansas-house

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen Youtube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

#kansas #ksleg #vote #2026elections #kansashouse

Robert Thomas is running for Kansas House District 61, representing parts of Jackson, Pottawatomie, and Riley counties, including Holton, Delia, Westmoreland, St. Marys, Onaga, and parts of Manhattan.

In this portion of the conversation, Thomas discusses what he learned from running for office and speaking directly with people in the community. He explains how those conversations revealed a gap between what people say in person and what is often seen or amplified online.

The discussion focuses on how many of the issues being debated at the state level are not actually being raised by constituents when candidates are out talking to voters. Both emphasize the importance of having representatives who are focused on doing the work for their districts, rather than being influenced by outside pressures or political narratives that do not reflect what voters are asking for.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 61, including the most recent campaign finance analysis here: https://kansashelen.substack.com/s/kansas-house

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen Youtube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

#kansas #ksleg #vote #2026elections #kansashouse

Robert Thomas is running for Kansas House District 61, representing parts of Jackson, Pottawatomie, and Riley counties, including Holton, Delia, Westmoreland, St. Marys, Onaga, and parts of Manhattan.

In this portion of the conversation, the discussion shifts to understanding the Constitution and the difference between general knowledge and deeper study. Reicher reflects on how most people learn basic information about the Constitution in school but do not fully study its history or context, while Thomas agrees and emphasizes the value of deeper understanding.

They talk about how conversations with people who have studied the Constitution more extensively can provide new perspectives, and how learning more about its structure and amendments helps clarify how government is intended to function. The exchange highlights the importance of continued learning and curiosity when it comes to civic knowledge.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 61, including the most recent campaign finance analysis here: https://kansashelen.substack.com/s/kansas-house

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen Youtube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

#kansas #ksleg #vote #2026elections #kansashouse

Robert Thomas is running for Kansas House District 61, representing parts of Jackson, Pottawatomie, and Riley counties, including Holton, Delia, Westmoreland, St. Marys, Onaga, and parts of Manhattan.

In this portion of the conversation, Thomas shares his political journey, starting with his early exposure to politics as a child during the 1980 presidential election. He explains how his understanding of political parties began through conversations with his father and how that shaped his long-term alignment with the Republican Party.

He reflects on key influences over time, including interest in Bill Clinton during the 1990s and Ross Perot’s focus on the national debt. Thomas also discusses his time in the Marine Corps and later involvement with the Tea Party, before eventually moving toward the Libertarian Party when he felt the Republican Party had shifted away from financial responsibility. He explains that Libertarian ideas around limited government and personal freedom aligned with his views during that period.

See the full interview on Kansas Helen Substack and learn more about Kansas House District 61, including the most recent campaign finance analysis here: https://kansashelen.substack.com/s/kansas-house

You can now also watch on Kansas Helen Youtube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify

#kansas #ksleg #vote #2026elections #kansashouse