Congressman Tiahrt is a faithful supporter of President Bush, voting with him more than 90 percent of the time. Like the President, Tiahrt stands firmly for the war in Iraq. He supports tax breaks for oil companies and the wealthiest people in America.

He opposes raising the minimum wage. More than once he voted against SCHIP, the legislation to expand health care to poor children. Yet he claims to be in favor of heath insurance coverage for all. He supports a plan that would provide "pre-payable tax credits, association health plans, interstate insurance purchasing power, health savings accounts, reduction of frivolous lawsuit abuse and incentives for new health information technology." In other words, more of the same old Republican ideas with their usual swipe at trial attorneys included.

The current 4th district congressman decries government spending, but is ranked 35th among 435 members of Congress for earmarked projects. Some of them certainly are good for his district and Kansas. It is doubtful all of them would be seen by the majority of his constituents as a needed federal expenditure, however, especially in light of a growing federal deficit.

Tiahrt doubts the veracity of global warming. The League of Conservation Voters gives him only a 5 percent rating. He said he didn’t vote for a recent ethics bill because it was "partisan". However, he told his colleagues on the House floor, "If you have a single ounce of self-preservation, you’ll vote ‘no’ (on the ethics bill)." It sounds as if his real reason for opposing it is that he has something to hide. He says he’s a fighter for the Air Force Tanker contract that bypassed Boeing for EADS, yet he voted in favor of outsourcing defense department manufacturing contracts.

In the current political climate of low ratings for the president and a desire for change in Washington, Tiahrt isn’t the shoo-in he once was. His right-of-center views are out of favor with more and more voters. That’s certainly encouraging for Democrats, but here’s the rub. He has over a million dollar war chest. To win against a seven-term incumbent congressman with so much money, it takes a team of experienced staff, dedicated volunteers and willing contributors. I am fortunate to have an exceptional staff and an ever growing number of supporters willing to give their time and/or money to help me win in November.

If you live in the 4th district, we are running an ambitious grass-roots campaign and can use your help in the office, phone banking and going door-to-door. If you live outside of the district, you can help us with opposition research or making phone calls into the district. Please sign up to volunteer on our site if you’re willing. Financial donations are of course always appreciated (you knew I was going to ask somewhere) and can be made via our ActBlue site. With a strong ground game and decent fundraising, we will continue where Nancy Boyda left off in turning Kansas blue!

I know about climbing uphill. Anyone who has overcome obstacles to reach his or her goals (and that’s almost all of us) knows it requires the support of friends and allies with whom you share the same values.

Thank you for reading and I welcome your questions and comments.