Barton County Democratic Party

06/01/2026

Rhys Froetschner filed for the Democratic Nomination to the office of State Representative, 112th District, on Monday.

Froetschner works at Sunflower Diversified in Great Bend providing services to people with disabilities. He is a recent graduate of Great Bend High School and plans to attend Barton County College this fall.

Froetschner moved to Great Bend, Kansas when he was two and his family made Great Bend their home. Froetschner was raised by his mother Katrina Deason, his stepdad Nelson Deason, and his father Lynn Froetschner.

He was taught the value of hard work. Froetschner started his own business in the music field. Having lived in Great Bend for nearly all of his life, Froetschner knows Kansas and loves it, but knows our Nation has problems. This year, he decided to step up to serve and help his Community, State and Nation.

The 112th Kansas House District includes most of Barton County except for Ellinwood and Pawnee Rock.

In his announcement, Mr. Froetschner was in favor of a return of intangibles to the property tax base so everyone’s property taxes will go down proportionately. Explaining his reasoning, Rhys Froetschner said: "The reason why we’re all struggling with property taxes is we have placed less of a burden on people who can afford to hide their wealth in intangibles. To lower all Kansans’ property taxes, the people with the most wealth need to pay their fair share."

He went on to say: “Kansas elected a Democratic Governor in 1930, Harry Woodring, who pushed for equalization of the tax burden by enacting an intangibles tax. It was true then and true now, that if we increase ad valorem property tax base, we will reduce the burden on existing property taxpayers who do not have intangible wealth to be taxed.

Kansas repealed the state-imposed 2.5 mill intangibles tax in 1982. The State Legislature constantly caters to the special interests, exempting properties from taxation. Most recently it was golf carts and all terrain vehicles given this special treatment effective January 1, 2026, an exemption which included golf carts, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles, and off-road motorcycles. Enough is enough, we can’t let those who can afford to pay make our lives in Kansas harder. It is time for the rich to pay their fair share of taxes."

Attached is a picture of Candidate Rhys Foretschner speaking at a No Kings Rally. The Candidate made his start in community advocacy by speaking at No Kings Rallies in Great Bend. Froetschner led chants and openly advocates for improving our quality of life.

Froetschner ended his announcement with this:

“I won’t make any promises I can’t keep and there is a lot ahead of me and ahead of Kansas, but I will promise this: No matter who you are, no matter what alignment you have, no matter where you come from, I will not be bribed or bought and I will fight for every person I represent. That’s a promise I won’t break.”

The Candidate may be reached at (620) 617-6116.

Paid for by Rhys Foretschner for Kansas, Stephen Patton Treasurer

06/01/2026

Good News!!! Democratic Candidates for the 112th and 113th Kansas House Districts filed today.

My name is Jo Ann Roth. I am a candidate for State Representative, 113th District which is located in central Kansas; parts of Barton, Pawnee, and all of Rice, Stafford and Rush Counties.
My husband of 46 years and I reside in the Roth family home located in Ellinwood, which was built by Kent’s parents, Walter and June Roth, in 1939.

I was employed by the federal government in the United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency (FSA), for a dozen years in Barton County, Kansas. I was then elected three (3) terms to the three (3) member Barton County Committee that oversees the local FSA Office and rules upon any farmer appeals. Following 9/11, I went to work with the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, (TSA), until my federal retirement with full benefits.

Now that I am no longer a Federal Employee under the Hatch Act, I am active in Democratic Politics as County Chair and Legislative Candidate in 2022, 2024 and again in this election. Perhaps the third time will be the charm.

My past leadership training includes: I was a member of Kansas Agriculture & Rural Leadership (KARL IV) 1998-99, touring Kansas Industries and traveling to Washington DC and South America, Chili & Argentina.

I am currently a member of Kansas Farm Bureau and grew up on a farm north of Cheyenne Bottoms; I am the daughter of Bob and Bonnie Wirth. My Dad was a full time farmer and part time Union Carpenter. I also belonged to a Labor Union, like my Father and Grandfather, when working for the Federal Government.

My maternal Grandfather, George Walter, immigrated to this country as the Bolshevik Revolution came to a bloody end in Russia. George Walter grew up in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, near the seaport of Odessa. He became a member of the Czar’s White Guard at 15 years of age. My Grandfather was wounded during World War I, and fought in the White Army during the Czar’s final days.

As the Red Army took control, an older sibling made it possible for 19 year old George Walter to travel by ship from the port of Odessa to Tunisia. From there he made his way to Hoisington, Kansas with the help of a sponsor family, the Peter Brack family of Otis.

After George began receiving Rail Road Retirement benefits he confided in me that he was always worried that the Bolsheviks might come over to this country to harm him and his family. I learned from my Grandfather, Freedom is never free; one must be willing to make sacrifices to keep his or her personal freedoms.

The People of Kansas voted overwhelmingly in August 2022, 59% NO to 41% YES, to keep personal autonomy, the right to control one’s own body, a constitutional right in Kansas. The Republican Incumbent was part of a super majority in the State Legislature to put on the August 4, 2026, Primary ballot a Constitutional Amendment to abolish the merit selection of Kansas Supreme Court Justices in a back door attempt to reverse this vote of the people in August of 2022.

This is the Incumbent’s belief, even though in 2022, Kansans clearly voted to protect the right to bodily autonomy in our State Constitution which includes the right to be free from torture. The 59% of the voters who rejected the Constitutional Amendment are my example of Democracy in Action. Legislators, like the Incumbent, who refuse to listen should be voted out of office.
Thank you for your attention and may God bless and keep safe the brave men and women fighting for Democracy around the World.

Paid for by Jo Ann Roth for State Representative, 113th District, Kent Roth Treasurer 10 North Main St Ellinwood, KS 67526 (620) 282-4054

06/01/2026

I have a few Vote NO on changing the selection of Kansas Supreme Court Justices Yard Signs. This Women 4 Kansas meeting is for people who still have questions on the constitutional amendment. The Republican super majority has once again placed amendment to the Kansas Constitution on the August primary ballot. It is important for independent or unaffiliated voters to exercise their right to vote on this issue.

05/23/2026

Full Debate between Colin McRoberts and Lauren Reinlhold held May 23, 2026, Barton County, Kansas.

Colin McRoberts and Lauren Reinhold appear in front of the Barton County Democratic Central Committee and answer questions from Michael Gilmore, Pawnee Count...

05/23/2026

Full Debate between Colin McRoberts and Lauren Reinhold will soon be posted on this page. Below video is the 6 minute closing statements at the Great Bend Debate.

Colin McRoberts and Lauren Reinhold debate In Great Bend, Kansas, May 23, 2026. Hosted by Barton County Democratic Central Committee. Michael Gilmore, Pawne...

05/22/2026

Michael Gilmore Pawnee County Journalist will moderate a Congressional Debate Saturday. Lauren Reinhold and Colin McRoberts, Democratic Candidates for Congress in the First District will debate in Great Bend, Saturday, May 23, starting at 10:30 AM at the Great Bend Public Library 1409 William Street; take the elevator to the basement meeting room. The debate will take place during the Barton County Democratic Party meeting from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Forms will be available to sign up as Democratic Precinct Committeeman or Committeewoman. If you have any questions contact JoAnn Roth, Barton County Democratic Central Committee, Chair, 620-282-4053. The public is welcome.

05/20/2026

Donald Trump no longer makes an effort to hide his corruption.

04/22/2026

Lauren Reinhold and Colin McRoberts, Democratic Candidates for Congress in the First District will debate In Great Bend, Saturday, May 23 starting at 10:30 AM at the Great Bend Public Library 1409 William Street, take the elevator to the basement meeting room. The public is welcome.

04/22/2026

Virginia voters decided to fight fire with fire resulting in a net loss for the GOP in the mid-decade redistricting war started by Donald Trump.

Trump's Attack Dogs

04/21/2026

Barton County Democratic Party will meet Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St, Great Bend. Take the elevator to basement meeting room. Bring your beverage. Forms available to sign as Democratic Precinct Committeeman or Democratic Committeewoman; Notary in attendance. Candidate recruitment discussed for the Monday, June 1, 2026, at noon official filing deadline at the Barton County Courthouse. Debate between the Democratic Candidates for Congress in the 1st District is in the works. If you have any questions, contact JoAnn Roth, Barton County Democratic Central Committee, Chair, 620-282-4053.