Thread by @Indivisible_KC

What an intense ride for @KansasDems! Candidates & supporters and after an exhausting 4-yrs for all. We meant to post earlier but it has been hard to find words to salve the hurt or quantify the range of emotions — especially during this election cycle. 1/

We want to say THANK YOU to EVERY progressive candidate who threw their hat in the ring in the last 2 election cycles since we came into existence. You stepped up when insurmountable challenges to change here in Kansas might have suggested you just sit right back down. 2/

Most folks don’t give a 2nd thought to challenges of running on progressive ideals in a state like KS. True, @jocodems have built an infrastructure to support candidates, but it’s still an uphill chase in most districts across the state, especially in rural counties. 3/

Ha! You’re thinking it’s really tough to chase amorphous votes... but it’s also about finding the funding, getting training, attracting volunteers & a slew of other tactical challenges the rest of us wouldn’t know to think about. 4/

AND these candidates are mostly going against the grain by bucking established norms, facing anything from ostracism to death threats right within their home communities. Some have lost business, long time friends, and even family members. 😕 5/

For our rural and small western district candidates, there’s even risk of possible unemployment, where jobs are hard to come by in small towns anyway. But rural or urban, you should know the mental, physical, emotional, & financial hits these Kansans take can be extreme. 6/

So why do it? Why run? Well... for neighbors; for schools — where “school choice” threatens to undermine equality of education; for hospitals to stay open & folks to be able to access healthcare. They even fight for people they don’t know that they may make a living wage. 7/

They fight for less obvious goals: like preserving fair, compact, & representative districts & to get good legislation passed to keep voter suppression tactics at bay. Why shouldn’t all Kansans be able to register and vote on the same day? 8/

As many fellow Indivisibles across America, some of us were motivated by gross injustices — like foster care losing our children & prison mismanagement. Like losing reproductive health care or gun safety laws continually being stymied. Challenges like that change perspectives. 9/

It’s amusing, but also infuriating to be accused of being paid activists. We are all volunteers. We are passionate about change for the good. We, along with bold & brave candidates are pretty much always in need of support. Progress takes time — way longer than 4 years. 10/

It takes resources, for sure. But it takes a smart mix of the right resources. Seasoned voices were already hard at it when we were formed — @MainstreamCoaltion @LWVJoCo @aclukansas @ExpandKanCare @Education1stSM @GameOnKansas @ElCentroInc @CAIRKANSAS 11/

@KansasAFLCIO @KansasApple @KsLULAC @kneanews @KSVotesorg @LWVKansas @loud_light @standup_kc @Stand_Up_BV @UrbanLeagueKC @Women4KS @KansasAction @KSRuralCenter & many more! The challenge now is to keep these vital organizations knitted together, strengthening our communities. 12/

Next time you’re frustrated w/ our state of politics, VOLUNTEER w/ a group or for a candidate. Keep your money in Kansas & support local candidates/groups.

Take some time to process this election. Allow yourself to engage in self-care & to catch up w/ people you’ve missed. 13/

Crazy but the 2022 races will be starting soon! Everything from city council elections to the U.S. House of Representatives. If you’re someone who is interested in shaping the future of Kansas, check out the orgs we listed to see how you can plug into the issues right here. 14/

To borrow once more from our inestimable @indivisibletn inspirers and with the words of Tennessee’s legendary @DollyParton: “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow you gotta put up with the rain.” End.

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