BY MARIAH MOORE
Kali Barnett is the daughter of third-generation farmers, a school teacher, and now, the woman running for Congress in Kansas’ 1st District. On Monday, August 5th, Barnett came to the Fort Hays State University campus as the 5th stop of her congressional announcement campaign. She set up in the memorial union and delivered her goals, as well as explained her story and just how she came to take a stance and run for her position.
One quote which Barnett repeatedly used was: “We fight hate with heart”. The entire campaign was truly based around that, all of her points related back to her one central idea of combatting hate. Barnett described her very passionate support of community, as well as her personal mission of making community-based goals more attainable.
Barnett also stressed that her campaign was entirely grassroots-based. Her platform was very much based on homegrown ideas, as well as addressing some of the issues faced by Kansans, both on the level of farmers, as well as educators, and everyone in between.
Above picture provided by the KaliForKansas Campaign
Barnett has been a teacher for 12 years, and though she was sad to end her teaching career, she was very passionate about incorporating educators into her ideas for change. She held very close to her beliefs of more funding in schools, specifically for the arts, as well as more pay for teachers.
From Barnett’s website: “I know how hard it is for Kansas teachers just to get by. I’ll always be a fierce advocate for all students and my fellow educators. In Congress, I will fight to put our kids’ education and futures first.”
Barnett also used her knowledge of farming to her advantage. She tackled many points regarding understanding where the farmers are coming from, as well as promoting fairer pay and treatment for them.
Barnett herself offers to be the voice for the community steeped in agriculture.
“Growing up, I saw firsthand the struggles and heartbreak of trying to keep a farm afloat in southwest Kansas,” Barnett said. “Farmers are the backbone of our community—they need a real advocate in Washington.”
Barnett stated several times in her presentation that she found her motivation in her father, who was the biggest influence on her. She also recounted how important her family was in pushing her forward to get to this point. Even on her campaign staff, one of her biggest supporters was her own cousin. Her platform also tied in very closely to her passion for family.
“In America, it shouldn’t be so hard to make an honest living, care for a family and get health care when you need it,” she said. “I’m running to fight for working Kansans, who have been left behind for too long.”
Healthcare was also something Barnett heavily wanted to fight for. She brought up her want for more united healthcare, as well as more accessible options for the more rural parts of Kansas. Her plans also included more accessible transportation from Western Kansas to other parts of the state, all for affordable costs.
“I’ve seen how my family, our neighbors, my students and my fellow teachers struggle to get by,” Barnett said. “We need more people making decisions who understand the problems we’re facing, and who truly care enough to fight for a change.”
“I never planned to go into politics but I love Kansans, and I know how much we need a change. That’s why I’m running for Congress.”
Barnett’s full presentation can be watched here.