This past Saturday, the Kansas Democratic State Executive committee, elected one of our own, Chris Reeves, to the Democratic National Committee.
Chris grew up in Southeast Kansas, went to high school in Girard, Kansas. He attended Kansas State University and Pittsburg State University. He has worked as a technology director for a medical group, and in the technology field since then. He presently works for SHS, a consultancy aimed at helping Democrats in Kansas and elsewhere get elected. He also works as an independent consultant to medical companies and manufacturing for complex information technology design configurations. He was born in Arkansas, but moved to Kansas when he was 8. He lives in Overland Park, (Kansas City suburb) and is moving to the 1st district (Western Kansas-for those who don’t know, KS-1 is the most Republican of the state’s four Congressional Districts, and elects a right-wing loon, Tim Huelskamp, one of the nuts who drove John Boehner out). His son was born autistic with a severe disorder. Chris said “As he gets older, he will age out of many of the services provided in Kansas. That began part of my look in the west for a nice, rural location so that if we were without services we could be in an area he could safely explore and learn the state as I did when I was young in a small town. Driving through western Kansas, I really fell for the Southwest, and have found our residence not too far from Scott City (inside Scott County). It's quiet, rural, internet services are available and importantly it will allow us some time to work with our son in a much more conducive environment. I'm looking forward to that. We are doing it in part to my belief of growing the party, and in part because I love my son and I think him having an environment that poses fewer risks and more opportunities for him while we wait on (Governor) Brownback to better establish services that he will need.”
Chris also said, “I think that there are roles within the DNC we need to fill, like a better understanding and development of the use of technology. But I think beyond issues within the committees, I think one of the most important roles of this position is that it offers someone like me a chance to put in the leg work and help keep more county parties both informed and interested in what goes on at the national party.” He has already begun working my schedule of travels throughout the state . He is working with the party is working hard to both recruit candidates and also to "wave the flag". He says, “Many counties haven't seen a person from the state party in a very long time...building support in these areas - even if it is not a win, but an improvement - is important for the future of the party.” His goal at the national level is “to work to bring out issues our state cares about; locally, to keep more Kansans informed of what is going on, and to make himself available as often as possible to appear for them, help them raise funds, and work to help recruit great candidates.”
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This is a great feather in the cap so to speak for the Kossack community! We have had some well-placed politicians write here irregularly— Senators, Congressmen, etc. — but I believe this is a first. Has ever another of us been elected to such an office? Please correct me if I am wrong but I don’t believe we have.
Daily Kos and similar communities are aspects of the “New Politics,” but we’re only as good as how we can play the game as it is. Each generation creates new institutions as we have, but how we are able to integrate into the old ones is one measure of our success. May there be many more!
Congratulations, Chris!