WHO IS KIM ZITO?

I am a military wife. I am a mom. I am a daughter.

My husband and I are still of working age.

We have a mortgage. Our cars are over 10 years old, and they need to last us much longer.

I am 49 years old, and I just paid off my student loans less than a year ago.

Meanwhile, we have a 7-year-old son whose college education we're saving for. (While also saving for our retirement!)

My husband is a Lt. Colonel in the Army Reserves, which means we pay for our health care. We have monthly premiums as well as patient costs. It's not cheap; still, I know we are extremely fortunate.

I cut coupons and compare the sales ads for groceries. I shop in the reduced meat section. Our grocery bill is as high, if not higher, than our annual property taxes.

Our son is in 1st grade in USD 383. We need our public schools to work because private school is not an option.

I am running for office because my lived experiences are common. But somehow, my experiences - YOUR EXPERIENCES - OUR EXPERIENCES - are not commonly found in Topeka.

Our lived experiences are what should inform and shape the policies that affect us. And it’s clear that our current legislators don’t have a clue about our needs, our struggles, and the solutions we’re asking for.

This is why I’m running. We need a representative who will be courageous in standing up for us.