Nick Gill
Nick Gill (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Kansas House of Representatives to represent District 121. He lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Gill completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Gill earned a B.S. in biochemistry from KU in 2006. He then received an M.S. in biochemistry & biotechnology from UMSL in 2010. Gill worked in chemical manufacturing/compliance from 2006 to 2018.[1]
Elections
2018
General election
Incumbent John Resman defeated Nick Gill in the general election for Kansas House of Representatives District 121 on November 6, 2018.
General election
General election for Kansas House of Representatives District 121
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | John Resman (R) | 58.4 | 7,195 | |
 | Nick Gill (D)  | 41.6 | 5,122 | |
| Total votes: 12,317 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Nick Gill advanced from the Democratic primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 121 on August 7, 2018.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 121
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Nick Gill | 100.0 | 1,657 |
| Total votes: 1,657 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Incumbent John Resman advanced from the Republican primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 121 on August 7, 2018.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Kansas House of Representatives District 121
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | John Resman | 100.0 | 2,868 | |
| Total votes: 2,868 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Nick Gill completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Gill's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
My top three priorities are: lowering the sales tax on food, supporting the public education my kids use at all levels, and finding ways to lower medical costs in the State of Kansas.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I'm very passionate about economic public policy. The direction that Kansas has been on until very recently has been misguided at best. A system of trickle-town has been shown time and time again to not work. Policies that I support will result in less money being taken from transportation, education, KPERS, and mental health services.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
As far as work ethic, my Dad. He's probably the hardest working person that I know. Learning to mow the lawn was a challenge, because he's point out the blades of grass that were missed, but I can mow a mean lawn today as a result.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
For politics, I would recommend reading Hobbes, Locke, John Rawls, and René Descartes for some background on where my ideas come from. My main idea is how to balance the idea of liberty from the government with the ability of the government to promote the general welfare and promote an equality of opportunity.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
An elected official should be an advocate for the people of their district, first and foremost. That can mean making unpopular decisions based on what can be incomplete information, but being able to defend those decisions to one's constituents. Along with that, a sense of humbleness that lets a legislator ask for help in making decisions outside of his direct experience. I have met many people in my canvassing, whose contact information I have kept in case I need to ask for their points of view in areas from education, to pensions, to transportation issues.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
As someone trained in the scientific method, my strongest personal quality is the ability to keep an open mind before making a decision. Too many politicians are locked into their own idea of rightness, which prevents them from listening fully to valid positions. This extinguishes possibilities for mutual understanding, and good governance.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
The core responsibility is to the people of one's district. That means being transparent, being available, and having the strength to make the best decision for one's district even if it's unpopular.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like a young person in Kansas in 2030 to be in a better position to succeed than one in 2018 does. The State of Kansas has gotten away from what I would consider people-first policies towards a direction of a Hobbesian 'state of nature' that doesn't recognize the good a government can do for its citizens. I would work against that point of view to show that good government can be preferable to a state of less government.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The first historical event I remember was the first Gulf war. I would have been six at the time, and I remember watching the night vision on the news as anti-aircraft fire was directed at US airplanes. I was into GI Joe at the time, so seeing briefings with Generals and so on was interesting for a kid, though I of course a six-year-old wouldn't have the wisdom to appreciate what was really happening in the conflict.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
That takes me back. My first job was a cook at Burger King in High school. I worked there for about a year until I was offered a nickle raise, and quit. I then worked for a BBQ restaurant, which paid better and let me be around BBQ during the workday, which was a lot of fun.
What happened on your most awkward date?
The A/C went out in the movie theater in the summer, and we were both kind of stuck there as neither of us could drive at the time. It really didn't make for a fun time, and that relationship didn't end up working out.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
The Christmas season. I married into a larger family and I really enjoy getting together with them, especially now that I have younger children.
What is your favorite book? Why?
The next one! I very much enjoy reading and learning new things. When I visit the library, I look over the new books to see if there any that just came in that pique my interest.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
I'd rather be me than any fictional character.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My family. Things are just things, but relationships are what make life.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Come Together - The Beatles
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Learning to delegate. I'm a hands-on problem solver, so it's a challenge to let go and not micromanage.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
It can be, but more importantly is the legislator's position on the role of government, and their vision for the future. There are politicians who don't exercise the soft power they have as elected leaders to speak for their district, effectively disappearing like a groundhog until election season comes by again. That's not who I want to be. I want to be visible to liberals and conservatives in my district to take their input with me to Topeka.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
The economy in general as well as the state of medical cost in Kansas is going to be a bigger priority in the next 10 years. The State is still digging out of the 'Brownback Experiment', that set Kansas back, and at the same time, the age of Kansans is increasing, which will mean more stress on the Medical system and KanCare. If this isn't proactively dealt with, there will be either another budget crisis, or pain felt by our elderly, and would work to avoid those scenarios.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
It's an interesting question because of the coequal nature of the two named branches of government. As the elected leader of Kansas as a whole, the Governor should have a vision of where she wants to take Kansas. The legislature, being closer to the people of their districts should listen to her positions, and the needs of their districts, and use that information to make laws benefiting all.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Of course! Building relationships is how things get done when you have 125 people coming from disparate parts of the state, trying to come to a consensus on any number of issues. I hope to take time to visit with as many legislators as I can in a social way to break down some of the siloing effects we have in our current politics.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
I prefer a nonpartisan redistricting process. It's a shame that so many elections are decided in a practical way in the primary due to geography of the district being slanted to protect one party or the other. It's bad for our democratic system to have one party in power in a district for an extended period of time, no matter which party it is. It leads to stagnation of thought and an ambivalence in the voting public.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
I am not a current legislator, however I would be very interested in joining committees on Appropriations, Education, Ethics, Interstate Cooperation, or Ways and Means, as those committees align with the interests of the 121st district.
If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?
I am not a current legislator, however I would be very interested in joining committees on Appropriations, Education, Ethics, Interstate Cooperation, or Ways and Means, as those committees align with the interests of the 121st district.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
I would be interested in joining the leadership at some point, though as a new legislator, I would be most interested in pushing bills I believed in.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
I really admire Justin Amash (R) of Michigan's 3rd district, because he explains all his votes in Congress. I may not agree with some of his positions, but he puts himself out there and defends his decisions. I really respect that because it shows a commitment to his constituents.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
I'm focused on the race in front of me at this time, though if I were asked, that would mean that I had been doing a good job representing my constituents in the 121st.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
There was a lady who was telling me about the trouble she was having navigating the KanCare system as she was disabled and taking care of another disabled family member, and as I invested the time in listening to her issues, it reminded me of the work that still needs to be done to make the 121st a better place to live. It's not very fun hearing about your neighbors having troubles, and remembering it now makes it more important that the citizens of the 121st vote for change this election season.
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.
Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | What is your political philosophy?
I wanted to run for for office because I expect a better quality of government in Kansas. I want a better set of services and quality in transportation, education, and taxation, and unless I, and people like me demand a change, then we will keep getting more of the same. I want better, and if want better as well, I ask for your vote. Is there anything you would like to add? One thing I've learned by running for office is how important getting involved is. The number of people who are politically active: calling, knocking, and running for office is smaller than you think. The positive is that if you don't like how things are going, or don't like a position, showing up and being active in whatever way gives you a not inconsequential amount of real power to make change. Food for thought no matter your particular party, philosophy, or position in life.[2] |
” |
| —Nick Gill[1] | ||
See also
- State legislative elections, 2018
- Kansas House of Representatives elections, 2018
- Kansas House of Representatives
External links
Footnotes
