FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
February 16, 2010
Contact: Billy Valentine
620-273-8400, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wasinger Adds Over 20 to Grassroots Team
Says local endorsements more important than national

COTTONWOOD FALLS -- Today, Rob Wasinger announced additions to his Kansans for Wasinger Leadership Team, led by co-chairs Dick Friedeman of Great Bend and Bill Halvorsen of Cottonwood Falls.

"While I am honored to be endorsed by national Republican leaders, I am most proud of my local endorsements, people whom the voters know and trust in their communities," said Wasinger, a native of Hays who has worked for former Gov. Bill Graves, then-State Senator Jerry Moran, and most recently worked as chief-of-staff to Senator Sam Brownback. "My message of economic prosperity for rural Kansas is clearly catching fire."

Additions and quotes of support are listed below. Previously released leadership team members and quotes of support are available here.

What They're Saying About Rob:

Barton County

"We had the opportunity to meet with Rob Wasinger and we found him to be a thoughtful, yet strong proponent of the values that are important to us. Chief among these is the respect for life, and it is clear to us that Rob will be a champion on behalf of the unborn and other vulnerable members of our society. We strongly support Rob in his efforts to become our next Congressman."
-- Don and Rita Feist, Ellinwood

"More than ever, we need someone in Washington D.C. who is an honest person and will do his best and has his first priority as serving Kansas. Rob has served Kansas in many different capacities and will do a great job as our next Congressman. He is a family man, and we need someone with those core values serving us Washington . We need someone to be responsible with the dollars that we send over there, and do things in our best interest."
-- Sue Wells, Great Bend

Clark County

"It's not everyday you meet someone who works as hard as the farmers and ranchers in Kansas. I am impressed with Rob's work ethic and dedication to our state. I hope that he can help get us back on the right track and preserve our way of life."
-- Andrew McCown, Ashland

Dickinson County

"Here in Abilene we want a Congressman like Rob Wasinger. There is a new tide of principled Republicans going to Washington to restore common sense policies to this country and Rob will be a leader of this new Republican coalition. Rob will fight out-of-control government spending, cut our taxes and encourage economic growth here in rural Kansas. Please join me in making Rob Wasinger our next Congressman."
-- Dean Romberger, Abilene

Ellis County

"Rob is a very honest individual who will help bring integrity to Washington. His strong family values are a very important foundation that we need to have represented. I support Rob and hope everyone will support sending this honest public servant to Washington."
-- Carmella Thyfault, retired educator, Hays

Here in Hays, our community and town is important to us. Rob is a hard working Kansan, a native of Hays, who has fought for us in Washington. We need a trustworthy Congressman to advocate for us here in Kansas, and lead the way during these very uncertain times. It's time to send Rob back to Washington to continue to represent us."
-- Catherine and Robert Wahlmeier, Hays

Ford County

"Rob Wasinger will be a Congressman who is first and foremost concerned with western Kansas. We need our next Congressman to fight for us and make certain that our voice is heard in Washington. Rob has the experience and temperament to be that man. I encourage every republican in southwest Kansas to join me in making Rob our next Congressman from the Big First."
--Wade Hampton, small business owner, Dodge City

Hodgeman County

"Here in Jetmore we want a Congressman who will stand up for western Kansas values. Rob is pro-life, supports limited government principles, and is for economic development here in rural Kansas. This is the kind of Congressman we need and I urge all my friends and family members to join me in making Rob Wasinger the next Congressman from the Big First."
-- David Law, Jetmore

Morris County

"Rob has fought for the unborn in Topeka with Jerry Moran and in Washington as chief of staff to Senator Brownback. He is the only candidate running who has pro-life experience on the national level. We need someone like Rob fighting for us in Congress. That is why I am supporting Rob Wasinger for Congress and I encourage everyone in the first district to do the same."
-- Vera Anderson, White City

Osbourne County

"Here in Osborne we need a Congressman like Rob Wasinger. He will fight for less government, lower taxes and economic development here in rural Kansas. Plus as the father of nine children, he doesn't just say he is pro-life he lives his conviction every day. We have a great opportunity to elect a principled, pro-life father of nine to Congress and I hope that all of my neighbors here in Osborne will join me in making Rob our next Congressman."
-- Janice Streit, Osborne

Pawnee County

"Now more than ever we need a man of integrity serving us in Congress. Rob's commitment to marriage and life is evident in the beautiful family that he and Meg have. Rob doesn't just say he is pro-life, he lives it. That's why I am support Rob Wasinger to be our next congressman and I encourage everyone here in Kansas to join me."
-- Helen Finger, retired farmer, Rozel

"As a farmer I've seen how excessive debt can crush business and make life harder for the next generation. The national debt that we are accruing now because of the failed policies in Washington will make our children's lives worse. I am supporting Rob Wasinger for Congress because I know that he will fight against the selfish spending that is burdening our children's future."
-- John Haas, Farmer, Larned

Reno County

"I had the opportunity to hear Rob Wasinger speak, and I liked his positions on the issues and his values. I support Rob Wasinger for Congress."
-- Angeline Cappony, Hutchinson

"While I am concerned about a number of issues, one issue that stands out to me is the issue of life. The current Administration and many in Congress seem determined to not only increase the frequency of abortion in this country, but also want the American people subsidize it. It is important that we elect smart pro-life leaders who are not afraid to fight for the unborn. I have met Rob Wasinger, and I have no doubt he is just such a leader. I strongly support Rob for Congress."
-- Bob Hall, general manager and CEO, Ark Valley Electric Cooperative, Hutchinson

"An issue of great importance to me is simplification of the tax code. Whether through a flat tax or some kind of consumption tax that replaces the income tax, it is imperative for the future health of our economy that we eliminate the quagmire that is the current tax system. I have spoken at some length with Rob Wasinger about this issue, and it is clear to me that he shares this same philosophy and that he will work towards simplifying the tax code--even if it means repeal of the current Internal Revenue Code. For this and other reasons, I support Rob Wasinger for Congress from the First District of Kansas."
-- Robert Murdock, president, Osage Resources, Hutchinson

"Rob Wasinger is a candidate who understands how important it is to support our farming and related industries. I am impressed with his in-depth knowledge of the issues relating to agriculture. I am equally impressed with his willingness to support the big changes necessary to get our government back on track. I firmly believe Rob will not be a 'go along to get along' kind of Congressman, but will instead fight for what is right, regardless of what his party leadership or the media may say. I strongly support Rob Wasinger for Congress."
-- Winkie Tennant, realtor and owner of Windy City Management, Hutchinson

"Our next Congressman needs to understand the importance of economic growth and jobs in rural Kansas. Critical to that growth is having a great transportation system. I have met Rob Wasinger, and it is clear that he has a great understanding about the relationship between the quality of our highway system and our future economic prospects. I wholeheartedly support Rob Wasinger for Congress."
-- Marc Westhoff, president, Mid-America Redi-Mix, Hutchinson

"Our country needs a new direction -- economically, politically, and morally. We need fresh, new leadership to put this country back on the right path. One of the issues of great concern to me is the issue of abortion. It is imperative that we elect leaders who can argue the pro-life case. I have met Rob Wasinger, and he has an uncommonly deep understanding of the life issues. It is clear to me that he has thought long and hard about them, and he has applied his considerable intelligence to understanding them. He has been a great leader on the issue of life; my hope is he will continue to be a great leader on this and other issues as our next Congressman."
-- Sue Winegardner, occupational therapist, Promise Regional Medical Center, Hutchinson

"I feel strongly that our next Congressman must understand and appreciate the role agriculture plays in our district. Rob Wasinger was born and raised in Hays, lives in the small Kansas town of Cottonwood Falls, and as Senator Brownback's chief-of-staff, he is attentive to the needs of rural Kansas. His New Homestead Act, which would offer incentives to young people to return to areas of the district that are losing population, shows that he is sensitive to the needs of the rural farming communities in Kansas. I heartily support Rob Wasinger for Congress."
-- Del Metcalf, director of sales and marketing, Peterson Predictive Maintenance, Hutchinson

Republic County

"We are blessed to have a lot of great things in Kansas, and we need someone to go to Washington to continue to fight for us in the future. With such wonderful junior colleges and great education, we need a Congressman that knows and cares about our state and its limitless possibilities. Rob is the person who has the ideas and hard work ethic to continue making Kansas a great place to live, work, and raise a family."
-- Chuck Westin, rural health consultant, Belleville

Stafford County

"I have known Rob for a number of years and I know that he will work for the things that we believe in here in rural Kansas. Rob will fight for less government and lower taxes. He is pro-life and will always fight for family values in Congress. These are the reasons that I am supporting Rob to be our next Congressman and I ask all my neighbors in Stafford to do the same."
-- Doris Newell, Stafford

Thomas County

"After sitting down and speaking with Rob, I'm convinced that fighting for Kansans will be his top priority in Congress. Whether it's passing the New Homestead Act to increase incentives for rural economic development, or making sure that there is a future for our children by protecting education, Rob is committed to protecting our way of life. I support Rob for the 1st District because he is the right man for the job."
-- Cory Swartz, financial manager, Cornerstone Ag. LLC, Colby

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