Dear Friend:

It is my privilege to represent the citizens of nine eastern Kansas counties in the Kansas Senate.  Our district stretches from Williamsburg in the north to the Oklahoma border on the south, from Cedar Vale in the west to Elsmore on the east (see District Map).

We have a diverse district with more than 67,000 people.  It includes three of the most heavily industrialized counties in the state and three of the least industrialized; the school district with the highest property valuation per pupil and three of the poorest counties in the state; two community colleges, 20 public school districts, and about four dozen incorporated cities and towns. The skilled working people of our district build boats and airplanes, manufacture concrete and chocolates, and generate electricity from nuclear power.

In all, this is a challenging district to represent.  My job is to represent the views of all our citizens as best I can and to try to figure out what public policy makes the most sense for our state as a whole.  There are many diverse viewpoints.  I always try to listen and learn and to look for common ground.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve.  Together, we can take pride in what we have accomplished in recent years, and I look forward to working together to accomplish more in the years to come.

Thank you for the privilege of representing you in the Kansas Senate.  I hope you find the information on this Website helpful (see disclaimer).  I always appreciate any thoughts or advice you might be willing to share.

Best wishes,

Derek