Letter from Anne: Reflections on Filing Day

It’s official! On Friday we formally filed with the Kansas Secretary of State’s office and my name is on the ballot for the 2026 election. After a long journey leading up to this, it was one of the happiest moments of my campaign.

But as I sit here today reflecting on the last year, after all the excitement and fun we had when we went to register, I realize I’m actually really sad.

I’m sad because of everything I have missed with my kids over the past year during this process, and for the kids whose parents have no time for them because they work full time and pick up side-gigs just to make ends meet. I’m sad for the families that no longer speak to each other. I’m sad for the young people who don’t see any hope for living their American dream. I’m sad for the elderly who are worried about how they will be able to live through their golden years. I’m sad because We are letting ourselves be torn apart by outside actors, by billionaires who want our family farms for their CAFOs, who want to take our most precious resource, water, for their data centers, and who want We the People to foot the bill for their electricity.

I’m sad because they have We the People fighting each other instead of those who got us here. We the People have been forced to operate within the society these billionaires built. But instead of looking up at the men in the ivory towers, the ones making money off of the lives of your brothers and sisters, your mothers and fathers, your children – denying your medical claims until they become moot because of the worst happening, laying off employees while increasing their own salaries, we are turning on our neighbors. I’m sad because the real enemies of We the People are winning.

I’m sad because I’m running for office at all. Because if things weren’t the way they are, I wouldn’t be. If what we have now was working for us, I wouldn’t feel compelled to try to do whatever I can for my country. I wouldn’t be afraid that We the People would let our enemies have us destroy these United States for them. All because we refuse to talk to each other. To have grace for each other. To trust the person you used to know – because they are still the same person you knew – instead of trusting these people in suits who keep getting richer while everyone else is getting poorer.

I’m sad because if we really were a Christian nation, we’d be following the greatest commandment, as Jesus said, to love God and your neighbor. But all I see these days is hate and division. And so I’m actually kind of sad that so many first-time candidates are running for office this year. Because it just shows how badly our government has failed us for too long now.

But all those first-time candidates – and there are SO many of you – YOU give me so much hope. United We Stand. Divided We Fall. Together, we will Restore the Promise of America, give this government back to the People, and make life livable for regular folks again.

We can do this, Kansas. Let's keep it going.

Onward and Upward.

Anne Parelkar

Candidate for US Senate, Kansas