CAMPAIGN NEWS

Hello Riley County Democrats, By now, you’ve probably heard of the constitutional question that will determine whether we maintain our current merit-based process for selecting Kansas Supreme Court justices or replace it with partisan, donor-controlled elections. I want to make the stakes of this amendment abundantly clear. The Kansas State Constitution guarantees everyone an independent, fair, and impartial court system. The non-partisan nominating commission insulates the s

In the spring semester of my senior year of high school, I took a U.S. Government course. Like many students in 2021, I split my time between the classroom and my bedroom because of COVID-19. We attended school on a staggered schedule—half the class in person one day, the other half the next. It wasn't exactly an ideal learning environment. Despite the interruptions, one lesson has stayed with me. My government teacher offered what he believed was the simplest way to distingu

We have finally reached a pivotal moment in the Riley County Democratic Party’s calendar. It’s a moment that the executive committee has been planning for over the last six months, at least, and it’s when we call on each of you to join us. On May 2, we officially launch our Vote No campaign in opposition to SCR 1611, the constitutional amendment that will appear on the primary election ballot. The amendment would abolish the current merit-based process in use for selecting Ka

I am excited to announce that the RCDP is hosting a ribbon-cutting celebration at its new headquarters, and you are invited! The details are as follows: Date: Friday, May 1 Time: 6-8 p.m. Location: 411 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS, Lower Level Suite A This is a come-and-go event, and there will be refreshments provided. We sincerely hope you can join us for this ceremonial kickoff to the RCDP's Vote No primary election campaign.

As the election cycle ramps up, Rep. Roeser will try to woo swing voters with her self-proclaimed centrist tendencies. Don’t let her. A legislator’s ideological position is determined by their voting records, not campaign slogans. When forced to choose between her constituents or her party’s radical platform, Rep. Roeser almost always chooses the latter. Let’s put an end to the cruel lawmaking of the Kansas legislature by defeating Rep. Roeser and breaking the Republican supe

Chair’s Message The Kansas legislature temporarily gaveled out on March 27th, giving us a brief respite until the body returns for the veto session on April 9th. Between those two dates, Governor Kelly will decide which bills to sign, veto, or let become law without her signature. This is our last opportunity as constituents to speak with legislators and sway their final votes. Below is a list of bills the Governor may veto, but has yet to do so as of this writing. Please con

Kansas Republicans aren’t being transparent. In the state legislature, they’re suspending rules to bypass the points of input by conferees and their Democratic colleagues.

Hello, Riley County Democrats, This is an urgent message about what’s been happening in the Kansas Legislature. This coming week, February 16-20, is turnaround week–the midpoint in the session when bills that haven’t made it out of their original chamber must be voted on, and if passed, sent to the other chamber for consideration in the second half of the session. Legislators will spend much of their time in their respective chambers debating, amending, and voting on bi

On January 26th, Senator Brad Starnes introduced SB 381, and it has been referred to the Senate Committee on Education. If you’d like to submit testimony in opposition to this bill, here are some helpful resources and information: read on... SB 381 would mandate instruction that specifically targets communist and socialist ideologies and add a new civics test as a graduation requirement, injecting politics into the classroom and creating an unnecessary barrier for studen

Dear Loved Ones Who Have Voted For President Trump, I am writing this letter to you because it would be inadequate to address the horrific acts of violence being committed by federal agents across this country without first speaking to what’s continued for far too long in my own home. Among you are subgroups: Those who have voted for Trump since 2016 and stand by his actions, and those who have regretted their past support of him, but continue to vote for his enablers. What

Historians note that the direction of American politics swings back and forth– always reacting to prior electoral results. What’s less emphasized about this phenomenon is the work put into altering the political course. The 2026 election is our opportunity to do just that, if we’re willing to put in the work.

The 2025 general election was a historic feat for the Democratic Party across the country. State assemblyman and mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, pulled off a huge upset in New York City; Representative Abigail Spanberger won Virginia’s gubernatorial race by nearly 15 points, and her coattails expanded the Democratic majority in the state house of delegates to its largest in 40 years; and Representative Mikie Sherrill trounced her opponent to become the next governor of New Jerse