The Rev. Mark Holland, a former mayor of Kansas City, Kansas, announced his candidacy recently for the U.S. Senate Democratic nomination in 2022.
Holland will move beyond the political divisions and the absence of leadership to bring Kansas the solutions needed for jobs, education, and health care, according to his campaign announcement.
In a statement, Holland said: “I am running for U.S. Senate because I believe the greatest threat to our nation is the deep division within. This division is rooted in fear, lies, and extremism. From my faith tradition, the Scripture reminds us in Matthew 12:25, ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ We need to put faith above fear, truth above lies, and unity above extremism.”
“Jerry Moran has shown a complete lack of leadership and courage. He has failed time and again to stand up for Kansans in these unprecedented times, whether against Covid-19, despicable lies around our election integrity, and the actions of extremist groups. Instead of leading or taking a stand, Moran hides in the shadows of others.” Holland said.
Holland stated, “As your Senator, I promise to bring faithful, bold, courageous leadership in Washington, D.C.”
A campaign spokesman said Holland held a soft launch this month, and now will spend the next 2.5 months putting together his campaign team, raising funds and getting ready to have a formal launch after the first of the year.
According to the Kansas secretary of state’s office, Michael Soetaert, a Democrat, has filed for the U.S. Senate seat in 2022.
Country music star Mitchell Tenpenny will cross Kansas Speedway off his ‘bucket list’ on Sunday, Oct. 24.
The multiplatinum-selling recording artist, whose hits include “Drunk Me,” “To Us it Did” and current smash “Truth About You,” will perform a pre-race concert prior to the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas.
Admission to the concert is free to Hollywood Casino 400 ticket holders and will rev up race fans for the penultimate race in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs’ Round of 8.
This will also mark the first pre-race concert at Kansas Speedway since Casey Donahew performed prior to the 2019 Hollywood Casino 400.
“It’s so good to have live music back at Kansas Speedway, and I know Mitchell Tenpenny will deliver an unforgettable performance our fans will enjoy,” said Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren, in a news release. “With our grandstands open to full capacity and the great racing our track consistently delivers, a concert of this caliber just amplifies the quality experience our fans deserve.”
Since the release of his debut single, “Drunk Me,” Mitchell has set new standards for breakout success in country music. The 2X Platinum-certified, No. 1 hit that has amassed over 500 million on-demand streams was taken from his introductory 2018 album, Telling All My Secrets, and earned him the best first week showing for any major label country debut LP.
Since that time, the “winning” singer (the New York Times) was nominated for New Male Artist of the Year at the ACM Awards and Breakthrough Video (“Drunk Me”) at the CMT Music Awards and saw his “Alcohol You Later” and “Anything She Says” singles certified gold.
“I grew up watching NASCAR and got my bucket list opportunity to drive one earlier this year,” Mitchell said. “I am so stoked for this concert. My fans are NASCAR fans. It will be a great day!”
As for the state of Kansas, Mitchell Tenpenny’s concert spices up an already power-packed weekend of racing at the 1.5-mile track. On Saturday, Oct. 23, fans will be treated to a racing doubleheader, beginning with the Kansas Lottery 300 at 2 p.m., the second race of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs’ Round of 8. At 6 p.m., the ARCA Menards Series championship will be decided in the Reese’s 150.
And then on Sunday, following Mitchell Tenpenny’s performance, the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will vie for the checkered flag in the Hollywood Casino 400 at 2 p.m. Fans can purchase their tickets for both days of action now by visiting www.kansasspeedway.com/.
Maxine Drew, candidate for KCK USD 500 School Board
Age: 68
Occupation and experience:
KCK USD 500 board member – elected November, 2017, and serving January 2018, for a term of four years. Secretary-clerk, Peace and Fellowship Community Church Former church secretary at New Fellowship Baptist Church for 33 years Social studies teacher USD 500 – 35 years
Education
Attended elementary schools in KCK: Abbott, Kealing, Stowe, Grant and Douglas Attended Northeast Junior High Graduated from Sumner High School, 1971 Bachelor of Art degree in history at Park University (1976) M.A.T. (2005) at University of St. Mary (Curriculum and Instruction).
Reasons for running
My vision for Kansas City, Kansas USD 500 school district has been always to maintain the right leadership for guiding our students to be successful for reaching their fullest potential to graduate and be motivated to adapt to be successful in life. I want to help develop new and innovative ways to prioritize in helping our students to be educated. I want to be an advocate to look at the needs and concerns of all stakeholders: staff community parents and students. Traditional education has drastically changed since January 2021. What we have to do is try to maintain consistency in education. I was reading an article and the comment was made that “My leadership is tested in a crisis and I can immediately deduce what kind of leader I am when I am faced with challenging situations that will stretch me beyond my comfort zone.” It is my desire to explore new avenues of success for all. Along with that whenever our students stumble or fall keeping their eyes on the essential outcome will solidify their academic victory and their social-emotional growth. We have to learn to use our human capital to learn and grow.
What are the three most important issues facing this position and how would you handle them?
As a school board member, the fundamental processes for decision-making entails determination to incorporate significant ways for a favorable outcome. It is vital that the foundation is solid, grounded, and strengthened. We must stay the course providing for positive confirmation for progress. The most important issues I feel we need to be concerned with are: hiring of staff (bus drivers, cafeteria workers, substitute teacher}, trauma sensitive training for all, funding, and promoting athletic engagement for students. We must engage to: Maintain open communication Prioritize concerns for academic growth Develop community and public involvement Listen, learn and build partnerships
If you are an incumbent, list your top accomplishments in office.
After being elected in 2017 I did do the following: Attend all school board meetings Build positive relationships with staff and district personnel Listen attentively Trained through Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) workshop for learning Served one year as USD 500 school board president Attend several school functions for sports and educational events at schools Attend and pass out materials at Welcome Event for new teachers @TIS for 2020-2021 school year Attended virtual workshops for “Enough is Enough” Attended end of the year retirement ceremonies for district staff members Support superintendent selection through listening, learning and engaging Attended community listening sessions for working to improve school procedures and decision-making ideas Attended Foundation for Excellence Golf Tournament Attended 2019 KASB Convention in Wichita, Kansas
For 2020, I attended:
Attended 2020 KASB Virtual Convention online
Attended KASB Advocacy in Action Conference in Topeka, Kansas January, 2020
Attended NASB Advocacy Institute and Equity Symposium in Washington, DC January, 2020
Attended Black History program at Rosedale Middle School, February, 2020
Attended “Souls to the Polls” at 8th Street Baptist Church, February, 2020
Support JAG K services at Wyandotte High School and F.L. Schlagle High School
Attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for:
Lowell Brune Elementary School
Gloria Willis Middle School
West Park Elementary School
Carl B. Bruce Middle School
Welborn Elementary School
Attended KCKPS 2019 College Fair held at F.L. Schlagle
Attended Math Stem Relays 2019 and 2020
Attended New Stanley Program and Science night
Received Trauma Sensitive Training, March, 2020
Attended Living Vine Women’s Luncheon, March, 2020
Attended 2020 Graduation Recognition Services for all high schools at Boulevard Drive-in
