Ellis native helps lead direction of Kansas GOP

ks republicans heath and elaine — Son and mother Republican duo Heath Kohl, Lawrence, and Elane Adams, Hays

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Elaine Adams, chairwoman of the Ellis County Republican Party, has attended a number of Kansas Republicans state conventions, including this past weekend in Wichita.

Her son, Heath Kohl, Lawrence, was also there. Not as a delegate, though, but as new political director for the Kansas GOP.

“The Kansas Republican Convention in Wichita was a complete success,” said Kohl, a native of Ellis and graduate of Fort Hays State University.

His mother agreed.

“The attendance was higher than we have seen in a very long time,” Adams said.

“We were sold out at every meal. I don’t recall that being an issue in the past, at least since 2007 when I started attending these,” Kohl added.

In addition to helping organize the event, Kohl presented campaign training programs for the attendees, who will use the tactics in their home districts.

Guest speakers at the Kansas convention included Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.; Gov. Sam Brownback, R Kansas; and Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas.

There were a lot of new faces at this year’s convention, according to Kohl and Adams.

“I believe this shows people of Kansas are looking for real government change and Kansas solutions, rather than the results of higher taxes and higher government spending we are seeing from the Obama administration and the Democrat Party,” said Kohl.