Congratulations Henry

Well, as I'm sure most of you have heard by now, I lost the election.   In any case, it was a relative longshot from the beginning-- as I may have mentioned, I was challenging a well-known multi-term incumbent, Henry Helgerson, who has been in Kansas politics for decades.   On the positive side, Henry is one of the more conservative Democrats, so is likely to be open-minded about many issues that we are concerned with.    Be sure to contact him through his official website and share your thoughts on issues coming up before the legislature,

What's next for me?   I'll continue to follow Kansas poltiics, and will be blogging periodically on this website as interesting issues come up.   (So please stay subscribed!).  I'm pretty sure I won't be challenging Henry again, but I may get involved in other ways.

Henry, if you happen to read this blog, here are my main hopes for your next term:

• Please consider additional tax cuts and continue to help rein in spending.   As discussed during my campaign, Kansas has an exceptionally high per capita tax burden compared to other states, and we really need to fix that.
• I really liked your past public statements opposing huge omnibus spending bills that are too large to properly debate or understand.   If it's possible to break that pattern and start dividing the budget into a series of smaller, properly debated bills, that would be a great contribution to the future of our state.
• Please consider changing your past vote & helping to stop "gender affirming care" on children.   I really think that due to the shaky scientific foundation, permanent negative effects, and lifetime medical complications, we will one day view these treatments in the same way we view the mid-20th-century's shameful experimentation with lobotomies for mental health.

Speaker Pro Tem Endorses Erik Seligman for District 83-- Don't Be Fooled By Misleading Mailings!

You may have recently received a mailer from my opponent with a huge quote by Kansas House Speaker Pro Tempore Blake Carpenter covering half the page, implying that he has his endorsement.   But this is not the case.  If you read carefully, Carpenter was praising him on one particular issue.   As I’ve mentioned before, my opponent is on the somewhat conservative side for a Democrat, so it’s not surprising that occasionally Republicans praise him on particular issues.    But Carpenter has clearly endorsed *me*, not my opponent, in the current election.  He has supplied the following quote:

I’m proud to endorse Erik Seligman because he will be a strong ally in cutting property taxes and reining in government spending.   The current incumbent often helps sustain the governor’s vetoes on commonsense reforms.  With the governor vowing to block property tax cuts in 2025, we need Erik to help us secure the votes to override her vetoes and bring much-needed relief to Kansans.

So, don’t let yourselves be fooled by my opponent’s misleading mailer!   As I pointed out in one of my other articles,   despite my opponent trying to push the meme that he’s a fiscal conservative, he cannot be relied on to stand up to the governor’s vetoes or significantly reduce taxes and spending.

The Final Month of the Campaign

It's hard to believe it's only another month until Election Day.    Don't forget that there are a number of ways you can still help:

• Spread the word:   Tell your friends about me, and invite them to follow my Facebook page.    If you have a small group of friends who wants to learn more, I'm happy to meet you for coffee sometime!
• Get a yard sign:   I just got a new batch of signs.   Email (erik@wichitaerik.com) or call (503-312-1665) and I'll make sure to put one on your lawn.
• Contribute money:   If you're doing well enough that you can afford to donate, every bit helps!   Email/call me to pick up a check, or Zelle the money directly to erik@wichitaerik.com .

Thanks again for all the support! 

Radio Interview tonight, Sun 9/29, on the John Whitmer Show (8:30)

 Hi everyone-- just a quick post to let you know that I'll be on the John Whitmer Show tonight (9/29) around 8:30.   This is a local Wichita talk show, broadcast on KNSS (98.7/1330) and over the web.   If you get a chance to listen, drop me an email & tell me what you thought!

Cookies With The Candidate, Sunday 9/22, 3-5pm

Join us for Cookies with the Candidate at Kathie Cooper’s backyard (140 S Lynnwood Blvd) this Sunday, 9/22, from 3-5 pm.  Your voice is important:  meet me to share your thoughts, questions, and concerns.  

No charge or monetary contribution needed to attend- just bring yourselves & enjoy some delicious cookies!   All are welcome.   

And as always, if that time isn't good for you, you can email me at erik@wichitaerik.com to set up a chat some other time.

Hope to see you there!

A New Addition to My Campaign Staff

Meet Monkey, the newest addition to our family.    Technically she's a guest-- my sister is spending a year in Spain with her husband & kids, and figured that leaving her with us is better than the trauma of international travel, quarantine laws, etc.   

Not sure how much she'll directly contribute to the campaign, but cute animals get a lot more web views than political debates anyway!   

Come Meet Me This Friday (8/30), 4-7PM, at Sweetpops

Join me for a casual “Meet the Candidate” event at Sweetpops (550 N Rock Rd) Friday 8/30 from 4-7pm. You can drop in any time during those hours to ask questions & discuss your concerns. Your voice matters, and this is a great chance to connect and share your thoughts. Whoever asks me the most interesting question will win a free massage at Sveta's!

Hope to see you there!