By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Local state legislator Travis Couture-Lovelady has something to celebrate during the Legislature’s downtime as he recently became engaged to local business owner Carly Miller.

Miller is a co-owner of Paint the Towne, 810 Main, the third location for the business, with two others in Wichita.

While Miller’s current job is a far cry from political office, she has been involved in politics as well, and the couple met while they both worked for Kansas State Treasurer Ron Estes  in 2012.

“That was the start of it,” Couture-Lovelady said, as they both were a part of a small staff and frequently had to work closely together. “Even on weekends, we were forced into events together.”

“All the political stuff we ended up doing together … In Topeka, there’s always the dinners and it’s nice to go with someone,” Miller said.

“Then I wrapped Travis into a dance class with me,” she said with a laugh. “He is a much better dancer than me.”

As for popping the question, Couture-Lovelady kept the affair simple.

“The plan was to get these flowers I had grown for her. I cut them and brought them with the ring,” he said. “We’re public enough as it is. A public engagement probably wouldn’t have gone well.”

With two politically minded people, it would be easy to believe differences could be a strong point of contention for the two, but they both agree their political leanings are staggeringly similar.

“As far as the issues go, we pretty well agree,” said Couture-Lovelady, a Republican from Palco.

“It wouldn’t work otherwise,” Miller said.

This agreement allows for Miller to give input to Couture-Lovelady, especially about matters occurring in Wichita, as Miller was active in politics while she attended Wichita State University.

“We agree so much politically, it’s just support,” Miller said.

The couple has not set a date for the wedding, but hope to have the ceremony early next year to give the couple time to enjoy before the election season.