Ramsey runs for U.S. representative, 3rd District

Andrea Ramsey, until recently the president and board chair of Turner House Children’s Clinic, is running for U.S. representative, 3rd District.

She is a Democrat who is seeking the 3rd District seat in the 2018 election.

Ramsey, a Leawood resident who is a retired area business executive and lawyer, announced her candidacy earlier this week.

“When I talk with people in Wyandotte, Johnson, and Miami counties, I hear the same thing over and over,” Ramsey said in a news release. “People say Congress isn’t listening, and no one is willing to take the tough challenges head-on. These challenges need a fighter, and that’s why I’m stepping up.”

Ramsey was until recently an active president and chair of Turner House Children’s Clinic, a nonprofit safety net pediatric health clinic in Wyandotte County, serving more than 6,000 patients yearly.

During her leadership, Ramsey led the clinic to expand its services to include behavioral health and dental care, and to collaborate with an area hospital. In addition to expanded services, the collaboration led to patient capacity doubling under her tenure despite drastic cuts pushed through by Gov. Brownback.

“For eight years, I dug in and used my experience in business and law to bring the community together,” Ramsey said. “It was tough, but the work helped kids in Wyandotte County thrive.”

Ramsey said her service at Turner House was one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.

“I will fight just as hard for all the families of the 3rd District,” Ramsey said. “I will listen and be a strong voice so we can tackle the tough challenges of creating good jobs, making healthcare more affordable, and ensuring we have the best schools in the world. I won’t be afraid to stand up to President Trump when he acts against the values and interests of Kansas families.”

Ramsey said she is deeply concerned Rep. Yoder has stopped listening to Kansans.

“He is putting President Trump’s agenda ahead of Kansas, voting with him 97 percent of the time,” Ramsey said in the news release. ”Now, Congressman Yoder even refuses to meet with constituents. I’m running to offer a new vision that puts Kansas families first.”

Before Turner House, Ramsey was senior counsel at Black and Veatch in Overland Park, and executive vice president of human resources at LabOne, now Quest Diagnostics, in Lenexa. Previously, she worked for Corning Incorporated and in private practice at Nixon Peabody.

Ramsey has a Bachelor of Arts in history, summa cum laude, from Boston University, where she was in the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. She is married to retired Army Col. Will Ramsey, a former public works director in Olathe. She is the mother of two children, who are both in college.

Ramsey has a campaign website online and a campaign Facebook and Twitter page.

Chris Pumpelly, a spokesman for the candidate, said he expected some of the issues in the campaign to be protecting access to affordable health care for everyone in the community, fully funded schools, protecting the promise of Medicare and Social Security for senior citizens, and good jobs, so that people can thrive and make a better life.

According to the state election filings web page, two Democrats have already filed for the 3rd District House, including Chris Haulmark of Olathe and Reggie Marselus of Lenexa. In the last election for the 3rd District, Jay Sidie of Mission Woods won the Democratic primary and received 40 percent of the vote in the 2016 general election. He currently is sending out campaign information about another run in 2018.

Pumpelly said there are a number of very qualified candidates who are stepping forward, and Ramsey welcomes that kind of engagement.

“It’s going to make her message stronger and encourage enthusiasm among Democrats and the electorate for the issues being put forward,” he said.