The Emporia State Collegiate Republicans group is working with the Kris Kobach campaign, holding a phone bank event to support him. They are also setting up events in conjunction with the Lyon County Republican organization to fundraise and have a watch party planned for the general election.
“We try to (have) strong alliances and strong ties with (the Lyon County GOP),” said Grayce McAllister, secretary of ESU Collegiate Republicans and senior business administration major. “We’re an organization that wants to have a space where students can come and talk about some of the current political things that they’ve seen.”
The watch party for the general election will be held Nov. 6 in the Lyon County GOP Headquarters, 1115 Commercial, and all are welcome to attend, McAllister said.
The group will also be helping to run a soup and pie fundraising event Oct. 28 at the Senior Center, 603 E 12th Ave, according to McAllister. “Different members of the Lyon County GOP will bring either a soup or a pie…Then there will be some pie for auction and other auction items as well.” McAllister said. “It’s just a way to fundraise for the Lyon County GOP. I’m pretty excited about it. It’s been a good event for the past couple of years.”
They also wanted to focus on doing something to support veterans since Emporia is the founding city of Veterans Day.
“Our plan is to, in November, is to get together a Veterans Thank You Note table and then we’ll have different students who are walking through the union, if they want to thank a vet, as a way to show our appreciation,” McAllister said. “We are also going to have a float in the Veterans Day Parade to show our support for those who have given themselves for our freedom.”
The parade will be at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 10, according to visitemporia.com. They also worked with Kurtis Engel, Kris Kobach’s field director, last Monday to call people and ask for their support of Kris Kobach for governor. Mackenzie Haddix, freshman elementary education and political science major, was one of the members that worked the phone bank.
“I’m a Republican because a lot of my morals and things that I’ve grown up with just reflect on the party,” Haddix said. “I think it’s important to be Republican not only at ESU, but on college campuses in general. When we talk about the minority, Republicans are the minority. There’s lots of liberals on campuses and that’s good to have the other opposing side…but I’m also really excited about having a group that I feel like I can confide in.”
ESU Collegiate Republicans currently has around 15 members. Those interested in joining should email [email protected].
