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 the challenges of running as a third-party candidate, reflecting on his previous campaign as a Libertarian and the limitations of that path. He explains that despite receiving a relatively strong share of the vote, structural barriers and voter familiarity with major parties make it difficult for third-party candidates to win.

The conversation also explores how party labels influence voter perception and decision-making, including how unfamiliar party designations can lead to confusion. Both discuss how the current political system makes it challenging for third parties to gain traction, often requiring candidates to align with one of the major parties in order to remain competitive in elections.

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 #republican #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 campaign finance and the challenges of running against incumbents. Thomas explains that incumbents often have advantages in funding and visibility, which can make it difficult for new candidates to compete, especially in districts where seats are rarely open.

The conversation also touches on broader dynamics in Kansas elections, including how competitive races can shift depending on the district and its demographics. They discuss how some areas have more predictable outcomes while others, particularly those with changing populations, may be more competitive. The discussion highlights the importance of voter engagement, candidate visibility, and understanding how campaign structures influence election outcomes.

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 #republican #vote #2026elections #kansashouse

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

He discusses communication with voters and accountability.

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 #vote #2026elections #congress #grassroots

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 the importance of primary elections and voter participation. They highlight how, in many Kansas districts, the primary effectively determines the outcome of the election due to district makeup, making it critical for voters to pay attention to those races.

The conversation also addresses voter awareness, including confusion about who can participate in elections and the need for better information about upcoming ballots. They encourage broader participation across all affiliations and emphasize the importance of staying informed and engaged throughout the election process, not just during general elections.

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 #republican #vote #2026elections #kansashouse

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

He shares his motivation for running in this 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 #vote #2026elections #congress #grassroots

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 the importance of civic education and understanding how different levels of government function. They highlight how many people direct concerns to the wrong level of government, such as bringing local issues to state officials, and how gaps in civics education contribute to that confusion.

The conversation also focuses on the role of elected officials in communicating with constituents. Reicher emphasizes the responsibility of representatives to provide clear, factual updates and create opportunities for engagement, while Thomas outlines his intention to be more active in meeting with community members, attending local events, and maintaining communication throughout the year. They discuss how consistent outreach and education can help voters better understand the process and hold officials accountable.

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 #republican #vote #2026elections #kansashouse

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

He compares grassroots campaigns with establishment-backed candidates.

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 #vote #2026elections #congress #grassroots

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 the use of STAR bonds and public funding for large development projects, including concerns about how those decisions are made. They talk about the scale of recent projects and the role of public input, questioning whether communities should have more direct say when large developments could significantly change their areas.

The discussion also explores how these investments are evaluated, including whether they provide a return for taxpayers and how benefits are distributed. They highlight concerns about transparency, decision-making processes, and long-term accountability, noting that outcomes of these projects may not be clear until years later, often after the officials involved are no longer in office.

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.

He explains financial barriers tied to running for office.

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 #vote #2026elections #congress #grassroots

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 healthcare access, including his support for expanding Medicaid, particularly to ensure coverage for children. He reflects on his own experience transitioning out of the military and struggling to afford health insurance for his family, explaining how gaps in coverage can impact working families.The conversation also explores the challenges healthcare costs create for small business owners, who must balance covering their own families and potentially providing insurance for employees. Thomas notes that many aspects of healthcare policy are controlled at the federal level, limiting what states can do, and acknowledges the difficulty in finding clear solutions. Both emphasize that access to healthcare, especially for children, seniors, and veterans, is a shared priority regardless of political affiliation.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-houseYou can now also watch on Kansas Helen Youtube or listen on the Kansas Helen Podcast on Apple and Spotify#kansas #ksleg #vote #2026elections #kansashouse