Garden City native Kali Barnett came to Emporia on Saturday to launch her campaign for US Congress.
Barnett made a roughly hour-long stop at Gravel City Roasters as the second of eight stops on a four-day tour to open her campaign for the First Congressional District. An elementary school teacher for the past 12 years and a children’s book author, Barnett says the 2016 election prompted her to think how she could do more. Initially, that effort was for her classrooms. Later, politics entered her mind.
Barnett found herself saying there needed to be more like-minded teachers in Congress before deciding she should run.
Barnett tells KVOE News her life experiences have shaped her priorities.
Incumbent Republican Roger Marshall has not announced whether he will run to retain his seat or join a crowded field of both Republicans and Democrats looking to take Pat Roberts’ Senate seat after Roberts retires next year. When he visited Emporia in April, Marshall said a decision may come this fall.
Barnett has not filed her formal paperwork with the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office, and so far no candidates have filed for the Big First District.
