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Kimberly DeWitt
Kimberly DeWitt (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Kansas House of Representatives to represent District 35. She lost in the Democratic primary on August 6, 2024.
DeWitt completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Kimberly DeWitt was born in Kansas City, Kansas. She earned a high school diploma from the Sumner Academy of Arts and Science, a bachelor's degree from Park University in 2016, and a graduate degree from Baker University in 2022. As of July 2024, she was attending Washburn University with an expected graduation date of 2026. Her career experience includes working as an information technology professional and as a chief executive officer.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Kansas House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Kansas House of Representatives District 35
Incumbent Wanda Brownlee Paige won election in the general election for Kansas House of Representatives District 35 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Wanda Brownlee Paige (D) | 100.0 | 4,837 | |
| Total votes: 4,837 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 35
Incumbent Wanda Brownlee Paige defeated incumbent Marvin Robinson II, Michelle Watley, and Kimberly DeWitt in the Democratic primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 35 on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Wanda Brownlee Paige | 48.7 | 835 | |
 | Marvin Robinson II | 22.3 | 383 | |
| Michelle Watley | 20.1 | 345 | ||
 | Kimberly DeWitt | 8.8 | 151 | |
| Total votes: 1,714 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for DeWitt in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kimberly DeWitt completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by DeWitt's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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- A thriving community is one where all residents feel heard, valued, and empowered. To achieve this, we must prioritize community engagement and ensure that all voices are represented in the decision-making process. As your representative, I will actively seek input from residents through town hall meetings, community forums, and online platforms. I am committed to transparency and accountability, providing regular updates on my work and being accessible to all constituents. Additionally, I will work to engage previously unengaged communities, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are addressed. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and participation, we can build a stronger, more united District 35.
- The foundation of any prosperous community is a strong economy. To positively grow District 35, we must prioritize economic development that supports local businesses and attracts new investments. Small businesses are the backbone of our community, providing jobs and services that enhance our quality of life. As your representative, I will advocate for policies that reduce unnecessary regulations, provide access to capital, and offer tax incentives to encourage entrepreneurship and business growth. Additionally, I will work to attract new industries to our district, particularly in the fields of technology, renewable energy, and healthcare, creating high-quality jobs and fostering a diverse and resilient economy.
- Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of a thriving community. To positively grow District 35, we must ensure that all residents have access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare services. This includes expanding Medicaid to cover more low-income families, increasing funding for mental health services, and addressing the opioid crisis that has impacted many of our communities. Additionally, I will work to improve healthcare infrastructure in our district, including the expansion of telehealth services and the recruitment of healthcare professionals to underserved areas. By prioritizing healthcare, we can create a healthier, more productive community.
Empathy is another crucial characteristic. An effective representative must be able to understand and share the feelings of their constituents. This means actively listening to their concerns, understanding their needs, and advocating for solutions that address their unique challenges.
Visionary leadership is essential for guiding a community toward a brighter future. An elected official should have a clear and compelling vision for the district, outlining goals that will drive positive growth and development. This includes economic prosperity, educational excellence, and robust healthcare systems. A visionary leader inspires others to work towards common goals and creates a roadmap for achieving them.
Inclusivity is a principle that cannot be overlooked. An effective official ensures that all community members, regardless of background, race, or socioeconomic status, are included in the decision-making process. This means actively engaging with diverse groups and making efforts to represent those who have historically been marginalized or unengaged.
Collaboration is key. The governor, as the chief executive, brings a broad vision for the state’s future, while the legislature represents the diverse voices and concerns of constituents. An effective relationship involves open communication and a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue. The governor should be proactive in presenting clear policy goals and working with legislators to craft legislation that advances shared priorities.
Respect for roles and expertise is equally important. The governor and the legislature each have distinct responsibilities and areas of expertise. The governor should respect the legislative process, understanding that lawmakers have a deep understanding of their communities and are tasked with refining and enacting laws. Conversely, the legislature should recognize the governor’s role in implementing and managing state policies, providing the necessary support to ensure successful execution.
Economic Diversification is a key challenge. Historically reliant on agriculture and traditional industries, Kansas must embrace new economic opportunities to ensure long-term growth and resilience. This means investing in technology, renewable energy, and innovation sectors. By diversifying our economy, we can create high-quality jobs and build a future that benefits all residents.
Education and Workforce Development are critical areas needing attention. As the job market transforms, so too must our educational system. We need to focus on equitable access to quality education, support for vocational training, and partnerships with businesses to prepare our workforce for emerging industries. This will require adapting to new educational norms and ensuring that every Kansan has the opportunity to succeed in a rapidly changing economy.
Healthcare Access and Affordability remain pressing concerns. Expanding Medicaid and improving healthcare infrastructure are essential to ensuring that all residents have access to affordable, quality care. This involves embracing evolving healthcare models and addressing systemic inequities that affect marginalized communities.
Relationships with legislators from across the aisle enable constructive dialogue, which is crucial for crafting policies that address the diverse needs of our constituents. By working collaboratively with Republicans, we can find common ground on critical issues such as healthcare reform, education, and infrastructure. This engagement helps bridge ideological divides and promotes solutions that benefit all Kansans.
Building alliances with legislators who may not share the same party affiliation can also amplify our efforts. These relationships can be instrumental in gaining support for progressive initiatives and navigating the legislative process more effectively. Mutual respect and understanding pave the way for negotiations and compromises that lead to successful policy outcomes.
Nancy Pelosi: I admire how she was masterful at navigating bi-partisan leadership and being able to find common foci to foster small-step progress while big-step progress took more time. I hope to mimic that same sense of stateswomanship where I can navigate difficult, complex, and sometimes conflicting relationships with a sense of empathy, wisdom, and diplomacy.
Shirley Chilsom: I admire her resoluteness to be comfortable being uncomfortable.
For me, it was a heavy warning as to the gravity of not just holding political office, but even seeking it. Constituent relationships are just as emotional, real, and personal as any other private relationship. They must be nurtured, protected, grown, and most importantly, be genuine. While the nature of seeking/holding office for large groups of people create an impossible situation in terms of being able to maintain individual relationships with every constituent, that does not absolve the candidate/legislator from maintaining meaningful, genuine communication via town halls, newsletters, multi-lingual mediums, etc.
Mainstream Coalition: https://www.mainstreamcoalition.com/recommendations_2024_primary
Joint Committees: Corrections/Juvenile Oversight, Information Technology, Kansas Security, State-Tribal Relations, Bethel
Financial transparency is essential for demonstrating that taxpayer dollars are being used effectively and responsibly. Clear, accurate, and timely reporting on government spending, revenue, and financial management is non-negotiable. Constituents deserve to know how their hard-earned money is being allocated and managed. By implementing open data platforms, we can make financial information readily available and understandable, empowering citizens to engage in informed discussions about public finances.
Government accountability goes hand in hand with transparency. Regular audits by independent bodies are indispensable for verifying that government operations are efficient, lawful, and free from waste and fraud. Performance metrics are another essential tool for accountability. This data-driven approach ensures that resources are directed towards initiatives that deliver tangible benefits to our community.
Transparency in decision-making processes is equally important. Legislative sessions, committee meetings, and other decision-making forums should be open to the public, with clear explanations provided for key decisions. This fosters trust and allows citizens to hold their representatives accountable. Constituent engagement is also a critical aspect of accountability.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Kansas House of Representatives District 35 |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 21, 2024
