Mediaboss Marketing

Brenno Da Silva, 7, and Wesley Da Silva crack open plastic eggs to check out Brennos prizes after the egg hunt hosted by Sedalia Parks and Recreation on Saturday in Liberty Park. Hundreds of kids participated in the egg hunt, which was divided by age group. Parks and Rec also hosted a Flashlight Egg Hunt on Friday night.

Photos by Nicole Cooke | Democrat

Ahlera Dawson, 4, searches for more eggs to grab during Saturday mornings egg hunt at Liberty Park. The event was a mad dash as the horn sounded at 10 a.m., lasting only minutes before all the eggs were found.

Photos by Nicole Cooke | Democrat

The Easter Bunny makes shy 3-year-old Jayden Bisker feel a little more at ease with a hug before posing for a photo. Bisker was all smiles for the photo after she got her bunny hug.

Photos by Nicole Cooke | Democrat

Sasha, left, and Daisy sniff to see what their owner, Alyssa Weikal, has found inside one of the plastic eggs hidden at the Clover Dell dog park for Saturday afternoons Paws in the Park egg hunt. Hundreds of eggs containing dog treats or a coupon for grand prizes were scattered throughout the dog park.

Photos by Nicole Cooke | Democrat

Rocky eats the treat inside the plastic egg he found after he managed to crack it open himself during Saturday afternoons egg hunt at the Clover Dell dog park. The event was free but donations were collected for the Sedalia Animal Shelter.

Photos by Nicole Cooke | Democrat

Allison Sterling laughs as her dog Rocky manages to open one of the plastic eggs himself during Saturdays egg hunt. While the hunt didnt last long, the dogs were more concerned with eating each treat as they went, rather than racing to find more eggs with their owners.

Photos by Nicole Cooke | Democrat

Brenno Da Silva, 7, and Wesley Da Silva crack open plastic eggs to check out Brennos prizes after the egg hunt hosted by Sedalia Parks and Recreation on Saturday in Liberty Park. Hundreds of kids participated in the egg hunt, which was divided by age group. Parks and Rec also hosted a Flashlight Egg Hunt on Friday night.

Ahlera Dawson, 4, searches for more eggs to grab during Saturday mornings egg hunt at Liberty Park. The event was a mad dash as the horn sounded at 10 a.m., lasting only minutes before all the eggs were found.

The Easter Bunny makes shy 3-year-old Jayden Bisker feel a little more at ease with a hug before posing for a photo. Bisker was all smiles for the photo after she got her bunny hug.

Sasha, left, and Daisy sniff to see what their owner, Alyssa Weikal, has found inside one of the plastic eggs hidden at the Clover Dell dog park for Saturday afternoons Paws in the Park egg hunt. Hundreds of eggs containing dog treats or a coupon for grand prizes were scattered throughout the dog park.

Rocky eats the treat inside the plastic egg he found after he managed to crack it open himself during Saturday afternoons egg hunt at the Clover Dell dog park. The event was free but donations were collected for the Sedalia Animal Shelter.

Allison Sterling laughs as her dog Rocky manages to open one of the plastic eggs himself during Saturdays egg hunt. While the hunt didnt last long, the dogs were more concerned with eating each treat as they went, rather than racing to find more eggs with their owners.

Brenno Da Silva, 7, and Wesley Da Silva crack open plastic eggs to check out Brennos prizes after the egg hunt hosted by Sedalia Parks and Recreation on Saturday in Liberty Park. Hundreds of kids participated in the egg hunt, which was divided by age group. Parks and Rec also hosted a Flashlight Egg Hunt on Friday night.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_TSD041017EggHunts1.jpgBrenno Da Silva, 7, and Wesley Da Silva crack open plastic eggs to check out Brennos prizes after the egg hunt hosted by Sedalia Parks and Recreation on Saturday in Liberty Park. Hundreds of kids participated in the egg hunt, which was divided by age group. Parks and Rec also hosted a Flashlight Egg Hunt on Friday night. Photos by Nicole Cooke | Democrat

Ahlera Dawson, 4, searches for more eggs to grab during Saturday mornings egg hunt at Liberty Park. The event was a mad dash as the horn sounded at 10 a.m., lasting only minutes before all the eggs were found.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_TSD041017EggHunts2.jpgAhlera Dawson, 4, searches for more eggs to grab during Saturday mornings egg hunt at Liberty Park. The event was a mad dash as the horn sounded at 10 a.m., lasting only minutes before all the eggs were found. Photos by Nicole Cooke | Democrat

The Easter Bunny makes shy 3-year-old Jayden Bisker feel a little more at ease with a hug before posing for a photo. Bisker was all smiles for the photo after she got her bunny hug.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_TSD041017EggHunts3.jpgThe Easter Bunny makes shy 3-year-old Jayden Bisker feel a little more at ease with a hug before posing for a photo. Bisker was all smiles for the photo after she got her bunny hug. Photos by Nicole Cooke | Democrat

Sasha, left, and Daisy sniff to see what their owner, Alyssa Weikal, has found inside one of the plastic eggs hidden at the Clover Dell dog park for Saturday afternoons Paws in the Park egg hunt. Hundreds of eggs containing dog treats or a coupon for grand prizes were scattered throughout the dog park.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_TSD041017EggHunts4.jpgSasha, left, and Daisy sniff to see what their owner, Alyssa Weikal, has found inside one of the plastic eggs hidden at the Clover Dell dog park for Saturday afternoons Paws in the Park egg hunt. Hundreds of eggs containing dog treats or a coupon for grand prizes were scattered throughout the dog park. Photos by Nicole Cooke | Democrat

Rocky eats the treat inside the plastic egg he found after he managed to crack it open himself during Saturday afternoons egg hunt at the Clover Dell dog park. The event was free but donations were collected for the Sedalia Animal Shelter.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_TSD041017EggHunts5.jpgRocky eats the treat inside the plastic egg he found after he managed to crack it open himself during Saturday afternoons egg hunt at the Clover Dell dog park. The event was free but donations were collected for the Sedalia Animal Shelter. Photos by Nicole Cooke | Democrat

Allison Sterling laughs as her dog Rocky manages to open one of the plastic eggs himself during Saturdays egg hunt. While the hunt didnt last long, the dogs were more concerned with eating each treat as they went, rather than racing to find more eggs with their owners.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_TSD041017EggHunts6.jpgAllison Sterling laughs as her dog Rocky manages to open one of the plastic eggs himself during Saturdays egg hunt. While the hunt didnt last long, the dogs were more concerned with eating each treat as they went, rather than racing to find more eggs with their owners. Photos by Nicole Cooke | Democrat

Hundreds participate in Parks and Rec events

. Bookmark the

.

Originally posted here:
A weekend of egg hunts - Sedalia Democrat

The smallest voice in the room asked the biggest question of former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley Saturday afternoon.

Scrawled on a notecard with no regard for lines was what 6--year-old Sullivan Wood, and others in the room, wanted to know most: "Will you run for President of the United States in 2020?"

A smile slowly spread across O'Malley's face.

"I don't know, Sullivan, I just might,"O'Malley said, his voice rising with a knowing tone. "We'll see, but we've got plenty of work to do in the meantime."

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley poses for a picture with Sullivan Wood. Wood asked the Democrat whether he would run for President of the United States in 2020. (Photo provided by Jennifer Wood)

Participating in his first town event since the 2016 presidential election, O'Malley started with a nearly 10-minute opening that sounded more like a stump speech than a personal introduction of the man who briefly challenged Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders last year.

Weaving policy points together under the larger theme of opportunity, O'Malley's speech cited some of his specific policy stances: raise the minimum wage, address climate change and get rid of the Electoral College.

"You and I are part of a living self-creating mystery. And that mystery is called the United States of America," O'Malleytold themore than 130 people who came to the College of Charleston to hear him speak.

"Keep this happy fact in mind: All things in this world are temporary, and so will be the Trump administration. This too will pass and change and be no more. In the meantime, there is work to be done."

For O'Malley, that work so far has involved traveling the country and working with fellow Democrats to look ahead to the 2018 midterm elections.As part of his visit, O'Malley made an appearance at a Charleston County Democratic Party fundraiser.

The town hall event, which was hosted bythe party, the College of Charleston Democrats and Indivisible Charleston, spanned more than two hours.

O'Malley said it is too soon to say whether President Donald Trump did the right thing by launching a missile strike on Syria this week.

"It could well prove to be an appropriate, measured response," O'Malley said. "But for this to happen and then for Congress to go on recess is appalling."

Despite its name, the event did not resemble previous town halls held in South Carolina in weeks past. At those events, Republican lawmakers from South Carolina faced raucous crowds.

Local activist Thomas Dixon, who challenged U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., last year and lost, said he left the event feeling somewhat energized about next steps for Democrats.

Already, O'Malley has visited Nebraska and Utah, along with Iowa the state where White House hopefuls start securing delegates in presidential primaries.

Sullivan's mother, Jennifer Wood, said her daughter has been an O'Malley fan since she was 4 and now can see why.

"There's just something different about him, isn't there?" Jennifer Wood said.

Speaking to The Post and Courier after the town hall event, O'Malley said he, too, senses something.

"I feel like I've never been speaking, writing or seeing more clearly. I'm going to continue to do that for the party how ever I can, wherever I can," O'Malley said.

Reach Caitlin Byrd at 843-937-5590 and follow her on Twitter @MaryCaitlinByrd.

See the article here:
Back in South Carolina, Democrat Martin O'Malley says "I just might ... - Charleston Post Courier

Hundreds of Morris County Democrats attended the county Democratic Committee convention at the Parsippany PAL Building, where front-runner Phil Murphy was the overwhelming choice for governor. IPHONE VIDEO BY WILLIAM WESTHOVEN MARCH 21, 2017 William Westhoven

Amalia Duarte is running for Mendham Township council.(Photo: Courtesy of Amalia Duarte)

A longtime community member will challenge Mendham Townships current mayor in this years election.

Amalia Duarte, 54, has announced that she is running for the open council seat, vowing to focus on three areas she believes the township can improve in;shared services, recreation and government transparency.

I am running to bring a new voice to the township committee, Duarte said. I started volunteering in town many years ago because of my two children, and now Im running for families like my own. I want to make sure that Mendham continues to be a great place to raise a family.

Duarte will challenge incumbent Diana Orban Brownfor the only council seat open at the end of this year. Brown is serving as mayor this year for the five-person, all Republican council.

Duarte is running for the council seat as a Democrat. She said she was urged to run due to the lack of financial support the town offered to rebuild Ralston Playground, comments about closing Brookside Beach, and the inability to move shared services forward.

The mayor held a recreation town hall in February, and the meeting room was packed with many residents complaining about why Ralston Playground was closed, Duarte said. Then, four days later a budget was discussed and then introduced in March without one penny earmarked for the playground. There has also been ongoing talk of closing down Brookside Beach.

Duarte said she also wants to make sure residents concerns are heard and taken into account in committee decisions, citing inconvenient meeting times, like Friday evenings for recreation meetings, and less public comment opportunities at those recent meetings. I am looking forward to speaking with residents and hearing about their concerns, Duarte said. Im interested in advocating for whats important to residents.

Duarte, who has never held elected office, said she is excited to bring a new voice and fresh perspective to the committee.

I have a different viewpoint, Duarte said. I believe recreation is vital to our community. Our children need places to get outside and play. Sports fields, playgrounds, Brookside Beach, hiking paths and special events are where the community comes together to create connections and lasting friendships.

Duarte said she has been advocating to keep Brookside Beach open and is leading a Rebuild Ralston Playground campaign.

Im a consensus builder and believe in bringing people together to reach common ground and achieve a common goal, Duarte said. Its something Ive learned in a lifetime of playing and coaching sports. I think in Mendham and across the country as Americans we want the same things: safe neighborhoods, good schools, decent, well-paying jobs and a sense of community.

Duarte moved to Mendham 18 years ago with husband, Gene Messina. They have two children, Elena, 20, a second-year student at Northeastern University studying Environmental Science, and Matthew, 14, a freshman at Mendham High School. Both children attended the Mendham Public Schools.

Duarte has volunteered in Mendham for nearly two decades as a youth sports coach, on township and nonprofit boards and fundraising for the community. She is currently vice chair of the recreation commission and vice chair of the board of adjustment. She also serves on the Schiff Nature Preserve board, is the race director for this years Mendham Patriots 5K Race & Kids Fun Run, and serves on the New Jersey Board of the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America.

Duarte graduated from New York University with a B.A. in journalism and political science. She worked as a reporter at the Los Angeles Times, The Record of Bergen County, various magazines, and was a freelance writer for The New York Times and other publications. After her first child was born, she moved into corporate communications at Lucent Technologies and then a spinoff, Avaya. She joined Citigroup in 2004 and was the vice president, director of communications for Citigroup's Operations & Technology unit, an organization of more than 22,000 staff worldwide.

Since 2009, Duarte has been the Public Affairs Director at ECLC of New Jersey, a Chatham-based nonprofit that offers Education, Careers & Lifelong Community to more than 750 children and adults with special needs from around the state. In 2015, she began writing grants for the organization. Duarte is also an executive board member of ASAH, the umbrella association for special-needs schools across the state, and a board member of the Alliance of Private Special Education Schools of North Jersey.

Go to http://www.duarte4mendham.com for more information or to donate to her campaign.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@GannettNJ.com

Read or Share this story: http://dailyre.co/2oPywC2

More here:
Democrat challenging mayor for Mendham Twp. council seat - Daily Record

The second-ever edition of the Tallahassee Democrat. Founder John Collins named the then-weekly paper in keeping with his promise to "follow the true and tried doctrines of the 'Old Time Democracy.' "(Photo: Democrat files)Buy Photo

For those who like researching history, the new online archive service of the Tallahassee Democrat can be addictive. One search leads to another and each yields intriguing revelations.

Here are a few nuggets found in a recent search of the 1.4 million pages of stories published by the Tallahassee Democrat since its founding in 1905.

Some Like It Hot

In the mid-20th century, the Democrat regularly ran standalone wire photos of bathing beauties, providing a bit of cheesecake in a buttoned-up era. Many of the women were Hollywood starlets making their first national appearances.

One of the most famous made her debut in the Democrat on Feb. 2, 1947: Marilyn Monroe, in a two-piece bathing suit. The caption said Monroe was 18 and had worked as a model and babysitter: One night, she went to babysit at the home of a movie talent scout. You guessed it. Now shes got a contract with 20th Century Fox.

Learn about the archives:Tallahassee Democrat archives are open

Tips and Tricks:Navigating the Tallahassee Democrat archives is simple

Birth of a legend, Part I

One of the most famous Tallahassee residents made his first appearance in the Democrat on Oct. 13, 1950: Bobby Bowden. The future legendary Florida State University football coach was then quarterback of the Howard Bulldogs, who lost to FSU in Doak Campbell Stadium. In the day before the story about the game, it was written: Howard is expected to pin its hopes for an upset on the passing of quarterback Bobby Bowden, a capable operator of the Bulldog T attack.

Birth of a legend, Part II

The great Florida A&M football coach Jake Gaither began his career at FAMU in 1938 as the lone assistant coach of head coach Bill Bell, a fact noted on Oct. 21, 1938. The adjectives began flowing the next year: On Oct. 6, 1939, Gaither was praised in a Democrat story as, the capable assistant of Bell who has built an enviable reputation for the sterling backfield combinations he has turned out.

Begin exploring the archives now

It seemed like a good idea

Lake Ella, named for the daughter of the man who once owned the lake and surrounding farm, became city property in the 1930s. The first reference to it in the Democrat is Nov. 12, 1933, when it hosted a livestock show (the fattest hogs, the sleekest bulls, the prettiest milkers in Leon County).

But the archives also track the history of Lake Ellas most famous residents. A small gaggle of 25 ducks and geese had taken up residency at the lake, when the Democrat carried a story March 24, 1957 in which City Manager Arvah Hopkins announced an agreement with wildlife officials to make the lake a refuge for injured geese and ducks who could no longer migrate.

Apparently, most of those ducks and geese were later killed by cars and dogs, so the city tried again on Nov. 28, 1961. Acting on a suggestion by businessman Payne Midyette, the city agreed to stock the lake with Mallard ducks and swans, and feed them from an island in the middle of the lake.

Not sure what happened to the swans, but dozens of ducks still call the lake home today.

Photos of actress Marilyn Monroe, center, ran four times in the Democrat in 1947, the year she appeared in her first two movies.(Photo: Democrat files)

Springtime of Yesteryear

For more than 40 years, the Springtime Tallahassee parade has proceeded south on Monroe Street to the Florida capitol. But it wasnt always that way. As the Democrat archives show, the parade wound around downtown its first five years (1968-1972).

In 1969, the parade traveled north on Monroe Street from the old Capitol, turned west on the south side of divided Park Avenue, turned south on Adams and finished at the old Capitol. In 1978, it proceeded north on Adams from the old Capitol, turned east on Call Street, then south on Monroe and finished at the old Capitol.

In September 1972, Adams Street was closed at Pensacola Street for construction of the new Capitol just west of the old Capitol and every Springtime Tallahassee parade since has traveled south on Monroe Street.

Springtime 2017:Heres who won the day at Springtime Tallahassee

Springtime 2017:Springtime Tallahassee attracts families, newcomers

Current Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum made his first appearances in the Democrat in Febburary 2000, as a FAMU student leader organizing protests against Gov. Jeb Bush's ending of affirmative action guidelines.(Photo: Democrat files)

The road to the mansion began in 2000

Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum began his political career more than 17 years ago as president of the student senate at Florida A&M.

Gillums first mention in the Democrat was Feb. 1, 2000, when he was among the 50 students at a FAMU meeting questioning Gov. Jeb Bushs One Florida initiative to remove racial considerations from state university admissions and the awarding of state contracts.

A week later, Feb. 9, 2000, the baby-faced and bespectacled Gillum led 2,000 FAMU students on a march to the capitol to protest One Florida, which was followed a month later by a rally that drew thousands of protesters from around the state.

One Florida passed. But Gillum has kept moving forward. In 2001, he was elected FAMUs student government president. In 2003, he was elected to the Tallahassee city commission becoming, at 23, the youngest commission member in history. He was elected mayor in 2014, and now he is running for governor.

All the news that fits to print

Newspapers often miss stories as our critics are wont to point out. And there are many milestones, events and people the Democrat did not track as assiduously as we could have. Two examples:

The Democrat's front page the day after Sept. 11, 2001.(Photo: Democrat files)

Centennial Field was Tallahassees chief sports and civic arena from 1924 to 1975. It was home to baseball and football games, boxing and wrestling matches, high school graduations and many other events. Construction of Centennial Field was one of the chief accomplishments of the citys 100th anniversary celebration in 1924 as noted years later in an interview with Florida Secretary of State, R.A. Gray, who served as centennial chairman.

Oddly, however, it appears the Democrat never wrote any stories about the city commission decision to build Tallahassees first stadium. The first mention is a story on Nov. 13, 1924 about the next days football game between visiting Madison High and Tallahassees Leon High being played at Centennial Field.

Similarly, the paper apparently never wrote a story about Clinton Street being renamed College Avenue by the city council which happened in 1909, according to a 1929 story.

Maybe such a story was unnecessary. Starting in 1906, the Democrat began referring to Clinton Street as the College Avenue in stories or put the name in parentheses after Clinton Street (College Avenue). By June 25, 1909, the Democrat no longer used quote marks or parentheses. And a Sept. 20, 1936 story explained the presence of FSU at the west end of the street meant Everybody said College Avenue ignoring Clinton Street.

Clinton Street was named in 1826, when Tallahassee streets were first laid out. Historians are unsure whether it honors two-time U.S. Vice President George Clinton or his nephew, New York governor DeWitt Clinton, who spearheaded construction of the Erie Canal.

Gerald Ensley is a retired Democrat reporter. He can be contacted at geraldensley21@gmail.com.

Read or Share this story: http://on.tdo.com/2oaMH2Z

The rest is here:
A collection of fascinating finds in the Tallahassee Democrat archives - Tallahassee.com

(Photo: AP/Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle)

James Thompson hugs his wife, Lisa, in Wichita on February 11, 2017, after Thompson's selection to represent the Democratic Party in the special election on April 11.

Its just after three in the afternoon on the Tuesday before Election Day, and James Thompson is in a gray Dodge truck driving away from the studios of yet another radio station. This time, the station was La Raza, a Spanish-language broadcaster that serves Wichita, Kansas, and its environs. For the past three months, the radio station spots, town halls, meet-and-greets, and debates have consumed Thompsons daysnow 12 to 15 hours longas he attempts what folks here assume is the impossible: delivering one of the most solidly conservative congressional districts in the country to the Democrats.

This coming Tuesday, Thompson will be the first Democrat to test the political waters of a federal election since Donald Trump won the presidency five months ago. He is vying to represent Kansass Fourth Congressional District, a seat Representative Mike Pompeo held until Trump drafted him to head the CIA earlier this year. The seat has been in Republican hands for more than two decades, and Pompeo retained the seat by more than 30 points in each of the past three elections. Last November, Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton there by a 60 percent to 33 percent margin. Its a deep red district in a deep red state, where the left has not challenged in years.

But Thompson, a civil rights lawyer, exudes confidence. He believes that, for the first time in more than a decade, voters in Kansas have soured on the radical conservatism that swept Sam Brownback into the governors office and led the Sunflower State down a years-long path of aggressive tax cuts and far-right social policies. Thompson also sees a historically unpopular president and a vibrant grassroots effort to oppose Trumps policies, led by the Indivisible groups and others, that have adopted his campaign as their first battle against the president and the Republican-controlled Congress. He says he can feel a shifting political wind at his back.

Just days before the election, Thompson had attracted more than 7,000 individual campaign donations. He says that as far as he can tell, thats the most ever in a congressional race in Kansas, special election or otherwise. His opponent, the states Republican treasurer Ron Estes, has run a comparatively quiet campaign, skipping most debates and quietly picking up the expected endorsementsthe NRA, Kansans for Life, and so on.

Thompson, by contrast, has been pitching his story to voters without pause. A few weeks ago, Thompson, backed by a wall of beer barrels at Central Standard Brewing, just east of Wichita's Old Town, was talking to prospective voters from the Young Professionals of Wichita. Wearing a cross-class combination of work boots, blue jeans, collared shirt and sport coat, his glasses and beard topping his stocky frame, Thompson delivered his origin story with a breezy, Midwestern bluntness: He grew up in Oklahoma City, at times in deep poverty. He was briefly homeless as a teenager, but went on to graduate high school and join the Army in pursuit of funding from the GI Bill that would help him afford college.

After he left the military in 1994, he moved to Wichita, where his grandparents live, and attended Wichita State University. He paused from his origin story: How many Shocks we got in here? he asked the room, referring to the schools Shockers mascot, and they clapped and hollered back. He said hes running to fight for the three things that pulled him out of poverty: jobs, education, and the military. He wants to raise wages, fend off what he called attacks on education, in Kansas and nationally, and preserve care for veterans. His military, blue-collar pitch strikes resonant tones in the Midwestparticularly his mention of veterans, which the audiences applause interrupted.

With just three months to campaign for the seat, Thompson settled on a platform that tugs from both sides of the state partyin part because it comes naturally to him, and in part because both pitches work in Kansas. He says he agrees with a lot of what Senator Bernie Sanders stands forparticularly his support for working people, better jobs and higher wagesand he has attracted Sanders supporters from the states major universities, who have staffed his phone banks and knocked on doors.

At the same time, he has branded himself a middle-of-the-road politician, someone who was encouraged to run by his friends on both the right and the left, and has attracted campaign volunteers from both parties. Hes a truck-driving, blue-collar Army veteran. Thats as Kansan as they come.

Most folks here still figure hell lose.

While Jon Ossoff, the talented Georgia Democrat, has won national headlines for his push to flip Representative Tom Prices vacated House seat in suburban Atlanta, Thompsons profile, and that of the Kansas race, has remained low. He has received little national press of note aside from a dust-up with officials from the Kansas Democratic Party, who last week refused Thompsons request for cash from its coffers to help with the campaign.

While the state party said publicly that it denied the Thompson campaigns $20,000 request because it simply didnt have the money after an expensive 2016 election cycle, the likelihood (or unlikelihood) of his victory also factored in. A cash-strapped party in a red state wont throw money at a race it cant win.

John Gibson, a patent attorney who heads the state party, insists that the party will continue to support the campaign, and calls the tug of war over money a distraction from what has otherwise been a heartening endeavor for the Democrats. Young people have traveled to Wichita to help canvass and phone bank. Party officials and loyalists from the states other congressional districts have done the same. That alone is an important bellwether in a state where Democrats have been decimated at the polls for a decade or more. Thats already a win for us, Gibson says.

But being popular among college students is different from flipping a House seat. Without poll numbers to rely on, its hard to gauge Thompsons chances to take the seat from the Republicansbut it is safe to presume theyre slim. Itll be a stunner if Thompson wins, says Burdett Loomis, a University of Kansas political science professor and a sage of Kansas politics. Loomis says that while Estes is generally uninteresting, hes a known commodity in the state and in Wichita, with solidly Republican credentials and support from Brownback.

But it is exactly that support from Brownback, whom Loomis rightly notes is mired in the depths of unpopularity, that has increased Thompsons slim chances of winning. A survey of polls across the nation concluded that Brownback now has the lowest approval ratings of any of the nations 50 governors.

For the past decade, Kansas voters have elected perhaps the most conservative lawmakers in the country to the statehouse. Led by Brownback, the arch-conservative majority repeatedly and massively cut taxes on wealthy Kansans and, also repeatedly and massively, stripped crucial funding from the government, cuts that particularly decimated the states teetering public school system.

That changed last year, when Kansas voters elected more moderate state lawmakers. In the Senate, six Brownback allies lost primaries to more centrist Republicans, and the Democrats picked up a seat as well. In the House, eight GOP right-wingers lost primaries to moderates, and the Democrats picked up 13 seats. The new members, then, are Republicans in the Kansas moderate tradition of Bob Dole or Democrats in the mode of Kathleen Sebelius, rather than Brownbackians suffused with Randian rigidity.

Since November, the new lawmakers have made Brownbacks life far more difficult, forcing him to veto bills that would have ended his tax cuts, increased school funding, and expanded Medicaid. The vetoes do not appear to be popular. Last Saturday at a town hall in Olathe, a mixed-income suburb on the far-western fringes of the Kansas City metro area, a roomful of residents yelled and waved red disagree signs at their local statehouse delegation, urging them to override Brownbacks veto of a bill passed by the new, more moderate legislature that would have expanded Medicaid to another 150,000 at-risk Kansans. The states new moderate coalition is not yet veto-proofthe attempted override of Brownbacks Medicaid expansion veto lost by three votesbut may well grow in the 2018 elections.

Another factor boosting Thompsons prospects is the politics of Wichita, the states largest city, and one of its most diverse. Its also the only city to send Democratic lawmakers to the Kansas state Senate outside of the populous corridor that stretches along Interstate 70 from Kansas City to Topeka. Wichitas former mayor, Democrat Carl Brewer, who was term-limited in 2015, is planning to run for governor in 2018.

At least for now, a hard turn to the left in Kansas, led by the Indivisible groups and others, is more a matter of activism and optics than it is of imminent electoral victories. Pompeos old congressional district could move toward the Democrats by 20 points and Thompson would still lose by double-digits.

But even if that happens, as most expect it will, it could nonetheless signal major changes for Kansas in 2018, when voters across the state will choose their congressional representatives. In the states Third District, a swath of Kansas City suburbs that voted for Clinton in November, Republican Representative Kevin Yoder won a narrow victory and is expected to face stiffer opposition next time around. The Second District, which includes the Democratic hubs of Lawrence and Topeka, will be the site of an open race next year after four-term Republican Representative Lynn Jenkins retires.

From the cab of his Dodge Ram, an undaunted Thompson says he feels good. Hes seen the enthusiasm up close, and come Tuesday, he thinks it will get people to the polls. Its ours to lose at this point, he says as the truck barrels down the Kansas road.

More:
A Democrat Tries to Pull Off a Kansas Miracle - The American Prospect