Campaigning Tiahrt-Style, Past and Present

This post is by my best friend since childhood, Kelly Reynolds. Kelly is an Andale High School alum and campaigner extraordinaire. We grew up just over a mile from each other in Goddard and spent lots of time together as kids on the campaign trail with my family. She can scoop ice cream and throw parade candy with the best of them. Thanks Kelly, for this post, the many fond memories and years of friendship and support.

Campaigning Tiahrt-Style, Past and Present

I met the Tiahrt family when Jessica and I were in the first grade at St. Mark's Elementary. We became the best of friends, bonding over our mutual love of Little House on the Prairie, making home movies and our general lack of athletic ability. When Todd decided to run for Congress in 1994, I was excited to help the Tiahrts campaign. I didn't understand the national political movements or the party apparatus (I was 13) but I saw something very special. Every weekend my parents would drop me off at the Tiahrt's house in Goddard and we would pack up their van with American flag fruit trays, cookies, ice tea, and ice cream. Lots and lots of ice cream.

We would stop at small towns all over the 4th district for "Ice Cream Socials." Todd would talk and answer questions and the rest of us would serve up the ice cream. We would stay until Todd and Vicki had answered every question and listened to every concern the people had for our great state and country. I was inspired by the people I met, I believe we all were.

That summer Todd wore holes in his shoes going door-to-door, meeting the people of the 4th district and listening. Todd, his family, and small staff pulled off a huge upset and won against all odds. He won because he was the right man, he did the hard work, and most of all, he listened.

I was inspired by that summer and how the Tiahrts campaigned. I became passionate about politics and went on to get my political science degree from KU. A couple of years later I found myself campaigning as a staffer. I learned many new tools and tricks of the trade but I always came back to the lessons I had learned years earlier in the small towns of Kansas with the Tiahrts.

I was blessed this past weekend to hit the Kansas Trail with the Tiahrts again. It felt like old times. I even wore my same red Tiahrt t-shirt from '94!

It was wonderful to be back campaigning for Todd. I always feel invigorated to be campaigning for the right person. We are blessed to have such a wonderful person and family to represent us here in Kansas. I am excited to be here to witness something very special again this year.

Thanks guys, you know I will always be on Team Tiahrt!

A post-parade treat.