Horgan files for 13th district State Senate seat

TOPEKA -- Patty Horgan, 60, Pittsburg, Kan., filed today for the Kansas State Senate seat being vacated by the retirement of Jim Barone. She filed as a Democrat at the Secretary of State's Office here.

"I'm ready to get home and start working on this campaign," Horgan said as she left Memorial Hall in Topeka. "My legislative goal is simple: Give the residents of Southeast Kansas more opportunities for growth and success."

Horgan, a lifelong resident of Pittsburg and the surrounding area, said she knew filing for the Kansas Senate was the right move when the vacancy was announced. She is the youngest of seven children whose father is an Irish immigrant. Her family was born and raised in Pittsburg. Each of the children in her family graduated from the St. Mary's school system.

"I am running for the state senate because I care about this community and the people who live here. The people and businesses who call southeast Kansas home need a strong voice to advocate for their needs in Topeka," she said. "My real passion is for listening to people, hearing their stories, and then finding a way to help them. I believe in a state government that puts people first. The needs of my constituents will always be first in my mind as I try to make a positive difference for this community."

Horgan said her professional career has given her the opportunity to become an industry respected manager of people and resources. During her last supervisory management position she was responsible for more than 1,000 employees spread across 72 service/retail stores in the United States. Her primary job responsibilities upon retirement were personnel management and sales building. Horgan said her professional career has taught her a great deal about listening to people and helping them succeed … skills, which she noted, will serve her well as she campaigns in the 13th District.

"It seems to me that state government has a lot to do with setting priorities and helping people and businesses succeed," she said. "I believe state government can fulfill its role by making needed improvements to transportation and education while providing tax fairness to working families and older Kansans on fixed incomes."

Horgan said she hopes to be an active participant in crafting the new Comprehensive Transportation Plan during the 2009 legislative session. Her goal during the debate will be to assure the completion of U.S. 69 as a four-lane highway from Fort Scott to the Oklahoma border. "The expansion of this corridor is a real beginning toward growing business in our community and attracting more good paying jobs," She said.

"This district is blessed with quality public schools and tremendous institutions like Pittsburg State University and Fort Scott Community College." She added that she wants to be a voice for continued school funding with the accountability to assure that public tax dollars are "getting into the classroom where they will do the most good for the future of our children."

Horgan also commented that she is committed to tax fairness. She said home owners continue to struggle with the amount of property taxes they are required to pay and the goal of reducing property taxes on local homes will be one of her top priorities.

"More than anything though, I am looking forward to listening to the people of this district to hear specifically about the issues they are facing everyday. With thoughtful concern, and open ears, a candidate for office can receive a meaningful education. I look forward to talking to my neighbors in this senate district and gaining a new perspective on the community I have always called my home."

Horgan is an avid gardener who recently graduated from the Kansas State University Master Gardener Program. Since retirement she has volunteered in the community at local and parochial schools, the St. Mary's altar society where she recently served as a board member, and the St. Mary's Goodwill Center. She has participated in the Pittsburg Public Library's butterfly teaching garden and has volunteered at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Recently she was selected to chair the Generations in Faith Together program at Our Lady of Lourdes. GIFT is an intergenerational educational program, for young and old alike, that encourages and facilitates strengthening ties outside existing generational groups.