If you’re a Republican primary voter considering candidates for governor, I urge you to vote for Stacey Rogers. You can learn more about her People Over Politics, grassroots campaign at: www.stacyrogersforks.com While I personally wouldn’t vote for her due to disagreements on several key issues, I still recognize her genuine motivation for entering this race. Furthermore, I admire the immense effort she has invested in connecting with Kansans, particularly in an environment where the Republican establishment often equates a candidate’s fundraising with their worthiness. This dynamic was evident when Stacey refused to pay $10,000 for what should have been her rightful place on a debate stage. Candidates should not have to purchase opportunities to engage with opponents and voters. Political parties are increasingly blurring the lines, often implying that a candidate’s “effort” is synonymous with their fundraising prowess. However, money does not equate to effort, and it certainly doesn’t equate to votes. Consider two candidates who each raise $3,000. If one achieves this through hundreds of $5 donations, while the other receives it from three individuals contributing $1,000 each, these are not politically equivalent achievements. The first candidate has engaged a broad base of people willing to invest in their campaign, while the second has only reached three affluent individuals. I’ve observed this trend on the Democratic side as well. Candidates like Anne Paralecar and Cindy Holscher may not be outraising their opponents, but their dedication is undeniable. They are actively traveling, knocking on doors, engaging with voters, and building strong teams of supporters. Stacey Rogers demonstrates the same level of commitment. Stacey is relentlessly present. I was fortunate to secure an hour of her time after a long effort to schedule our conversation, a testament to her constant travel across Kansas. She personally knocks on doors, attends every possible event, and speaks directly with as many voters as she can. She doesn’t rely on campaign advertisements, mailers, or polished videos, expecting money to do the work for her. This is precisely what we need from our candidates. I prioritize a candidate’s willingness to persuade voters, engage in face-to-face conversations, and genuinely listen to the needs of Kansans, far above how much money they raise. While I may not endorse Stacey’s solutions or all of her policies, I believe her motivations are sincere. If you’re a Republican primary voter, I believe her dedication matters, and she has earned your consideration and your vote. Her campaign finances underscore this commitment. Rogers is running a statewide campaign with less than $50,000 and no identified PAC contributions. Her reports detail 71 named contributors and at least 121 contributors whose donations of $50 or less were collectively reported as $6,060.56, though the actual number could be higher. In total, this amounts to at least 192 contributors, giving a combined $34,486.92, with an average contribution of $179.62. Despite not having millions, Rogers is actively traveling, showing up, and engaging with Kansans. A Statewide Campaign With Less Than $50k Of the $28,426.36 in itemized contributions, an impressive $27,991.36 (98.47%) came from contributors with Kansas addresses. Only $275 (0.97%) originated from outside Kansas, while the remaining $160 (0.56%) came from a named contributor whose location was not disclosed. This is significant because it demonstrates that Rogers’s campaign is not financed by a network of out-of-state donors. Nearly all of her itemized financial support comes from within Kansas, directly linking her campaign to the state she aspires to govern. While the $6,060.56 in non-itemized contributions cannot be categorized by donor location due to reporting limitations, the verifiable itemized contributions strongly indicate that Kansans are almost exclusively funding Rogers’s campaign. Her Spending Reflects Her Priorities How Rogers has spent her money is as revealing as how much she has raised. Nearly 56% of all campaign spending was allocated to online advertising, design, and marketing. When combined with expenses for campaign materials, public events, and community sponsorships, the reports clearly show a campaign heavily invested in reaching Kansans directly. The largest expenditure category was online advertising, design, and marketing, totaling approximately $17,712.50. An additional $4,160.97 was spent on printing, shirts, and campaign supplies. Rogers also invested $1,224 in a booth at the Kansas State Fair and $1,100 in community sponsorships. These are direct expenses aimed at establishing the campaign’s presence in public spaces and facilitating direct interaction between Rogers and the voters she seeks to earn. While a campaign finance report cannot reveal a candidate’s true intentions or guarantee future governance, it does offer insight into how a candidate allocates their resources and what their campaign prioritizes. She isn’t passively waiting for Kansans to find her; she is actively making an effort to connect to put People Over Politics What “People Over Politics” Means “People over politics” must be more than a campaign slogan. It must represent a commitment to prioritizing the lives and needs of Kansans above political parties, powerful donors, personal grudges, and the endless struggle for control. It means acknowledging that an individual’s worth is not diminished by their political affiliation or differing opinions. Governance is not about rewarding supporters and punishing opponents; a governor is responsible for serving every Kansan. Stacey and I hold different views on several significant issues, yet we share the belief that political disagreement does not lessen a person’s value. We agree that individuals should not suffer or be harmed simply for holding different beliefs, and that government should strive to improve their lives whenever possible. This fundamental agreement outweighs any of our disagreements because it provides a crucial starting point. If we cannot first agree on the inherent value and dignity of every person, there is no foundation for compromise, negotiation, or collaboration. We cannot hope to solve problems if we begin by treating those on the opposing side as enemies whose lives are inconsequential. We are not required to abandon our principles or downplay our disagreements. Instead, we must recognize that the people affected by political decisions are more important than prevailing in a political battle. This is what “people over politics” means to me, and it is the most vital point of agreement between Stacey Rogers and me. Stacey Rogers’ Message Rogers’ campaign emphasizes hard work and direct engagement, advocating for limited campaign spending. She believes candidates should meet voters directly, fostering more accurate judgments than advertisements or polished videos. Rogers traveled approximately 95,000 miles to nearly every Kansas town, visiting businesses, gas stations, cooperatives, and gathering places rather than just party events or county seats. She noted many Kansans, working or raising families, cannot attend political events. Rogers compared her approach to Joan Finney and Bob Dole, asserting that visiting communities should be the minimum expectation for statewide candidates. These conversations revealed a divide beyond Republican versus Democrat: “power and money against the people.” Rogers acknowledged disagreements but believes they can foster understanding and collaboration. Rogers cited proposed massive data centers as a bipartisan issue. She distinguished these from smaller, existing facilities, raising concerns about their impact on Kansas land, resources, and communities, especially when foreign companies are involved. Communities often lack the knowledge to question developers effectively. Her travels also highlighted the decline of small towns despite their value. This experience shaped her governance philosophy: owning a business doesn’t make her an expert in every industry. Without consulting those directly involved, she risks harmful decisions. Similarly, Rogers questioned over-reliance on paid lobbyists. She believes state leaders must speak directly with affected individuals and consider diverse information before deciding. She would apply this to state employees, refusing a “clean sweep” before assessing departmental functions and needs. Rogers described the Kansas Legislature as chaotic and divided, with political infighting, punishment, and power struggles wasting taxpayer money and lawmaker time. She would use the governor’s platform to expose misconduct and hold lawmakers accountable, arguing that blocking beneficial legislation as retaliation harms Kansans. Regarding education, Rogers believes Kansas has lost focus on preparing children for adulthood. As an employer, she’s observed graduates struggling with basic reading, spelling, and math, a cost employers and customers bear. Rogers acknowledged state overreach but noted it often follows years of local inaction. The question isn’t just if the state should intervene, but when it has a responsibility and whether its methods are appropriate. She criticized lawmakers for passing unenforced laws instead of addressing underlying problems, likening it to applying “Band-Aids” while issues worsen. Rogers stated her campaign accepts no PAC or special-interest money. Contributions come from small local Kansas businesses, not massive corporations. To maintain transparency, after receiving minor out-of-state contributions, she began specifying no large out-of-state donations. She questioned candidates spending campaign funds on out-of-state consultants or hotels when serving Kansas. Rogers leads by “getting into the trenches.” She rejected advice to delegate social media, b
