Weekends like this make me proud of being a Democrat. What an incredible slate of candidates running in both state and federal races this year. What I saw this weekend was a STRONG pool of talent that is passionate about protecting our democracy and serving Kansan the way Kansans deserves. Thank you to all of you who joined our Candidate Forum this morning and to all who tuned in via the livestream. If you didn't have a chance to see it, here is the link to the recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/RU4oovkjmWY Check it out! #Democrats2024 #ProtectOurDemocracy #KansasPolitics #CandidateForum #BlueWave #VoteBlue #StrongerTogether #KS04

Great to be in Topeka today for Washington Days alongside so many dedicated Kansas Democrats. If you’re here this weekend, stop by our booth and say hello! And tomorrow morning at 9:45 AM, I’ll be speaking at the U.S. Congressional Candidate Forum. I’d love to see you in the room. Together we can prove that a Kansas built on freedom, justice, and opportunity for all is possible. #washingtondays #kansasdemocrats #KS04 #votekansas #DemocracyInAction

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the women who helped shape Kansas and our nation. Kansas is home to trailblazers like 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁 of Atchison, aviation leader 𝗢𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 of Wichita, and 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗠. 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿 of Argonia — the first woman elected mayor in the United States, right here in Kansas’ 4th District. 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 helped change American history through Brown v. Board of Education, and Wichita physician 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁 helped restore abortion services in the city after the 2009 murder of Dr. George Tiller, continuing to advocate for reproductive healthcare nationwide. Today, women carry that legacy forward — serving our communities, our country, and helping shape the future of Kansas and America.#WomensHistoryMonth #womeninhistory #KS04 #womenwholead

Six American service members have been killed, and the administration promises more casualties are likely as the conflict spreads. That is the cost of military force and their families deserve honesty. I have 31 years of military experience. I have been to war. And as the father of an Army Infantry officer, I know exactly what it means when Washington chooses to use force. 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐫, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝. You define the objective and the path to success. Right now, that endgame is not clear. It is not clear to Congress. It is not clear to the American people. Under the Authorization for Use of Military Force, action must be tied to a specific, imminent threat to the United States. If President Trump has said Iran’s nuclear program was “obliterated,” then 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭. Escalation also hits home. Gas prices are spiking and the consensus is that prices could reach $100/barrel of crude oil- over $3/gallon for Kansans. Gas prices also affect everything you buy that needs transportation. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧. Americans should be able to understand why their government takes them to war. What I’m hearing from Kansans is that another war is unwanted. The representatives in Congress should respect and act according to their constituents’ priorities. Higher prices are damaging, loss of life will be devastating. Strength is clarity and discipline. We can defend our nation without drifting into another undefined conflict. America is strongest when our leaders know the objective before they order the mission. That is how we protect our troops, how we protect our economy. And that is how we protect the American people. #VeteranForCongress #CongressionalOversight #KansansDeserveBetter #KS04

I was honored to meet Michael Fanone, the U.S. Capitol Police officer who put his life on the line to defend our democracy during the January 6 insurrection on the U.S. Capitol. A true American. On one of the darkest days in our country’s history, Officer Fanone held the line. When our democratic institutions were tested, he chose courage and duty. His actions remind us that protecting democracy requires real sacrifice. And it depends on people who are willing to step forward when it matters most. I look forward to meeting and hearing him speak soon in “Hold The Line: A Conversation with Michael Fanone” at the WSU Metroplex, an important discussion about service, accountability, and what it means to protect the Constitution. More info at: https://www.chriscarmichael.org/events/hold-the-line-a-conversation-with-michael-fanone #January6th #ProtectDemocracy #DefendTheConstitutio #ks04 #AmericanHero #DemocracyMatters #NeverForget #StandForTruth

I woke up to the news of the U.S. and Israel launching an attack on Iran, moving the United States into direct military conflict in the Middle East. So much for the end of forever wars. As a 31-year military veteran, I look at what comes next. When the announcement of the operations includes the ominous sentence “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties,” that means a son or daughter who does not come home. That means a folded flag handed to a loved one. I have served alongside the troops who carry out these missions. I understand the cost of war because I’ve lived it. The Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war. That safeguard exists for a reason, to protect the American people from unnecessary wars and the costs associated with them. Representatives like Ron Estes, have a responsibility to assert that authority. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲. War also has consequences here at home. Regional instability drives up energy prices and disrupts markets. Gas prices have already gone up in the hours since bombings. That means higher grocery prices, higher everyday expenses. 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬. I believe in strong national defense and standing with our allies. I also believe that strength requires discipline and an understanding of consequences. My promise is simple: I will always put the well-being of Americans first. I will listen. I will speak honestly about risks. And I will work to ensure that decisions about war and peace are made carefully, constitutionally, and with the seriousness they deserve. Your safety matters. Your family matters. And you deserve leadership that never forgets either. #EndForeverWars #DefendTheConstitution #AccountabilityInCongress #AmericanFamiliesFirst #KS04

I had the chance to sit down with the Wichita & Hutchinson Labor Federation yesterday, and I’m grateful for the honest conversations. I listened to working men and women talk about what’s really impacting them right now, job safety, fair wages, rising health care costs, retirement security, protecting collective bargaining rights, and making sure new jobs in energy and infrastructure are good-paying union jobs. I also heard their concerns about ongoing attacks on unions and worker protections. When unions are strong, our communities are strong. They raise standards for everyone. I will always fight to protect collective bargaining, defend workplace safety standards, and make sure federal investments create jobs that respect workers and pay a fair wage. Kansas works because working people do. I’ll always stand with them. #UnionStrong #ProtectWorkers #FairWages #CollectiveBargaining #StandWithLabor #WorkersRights #KansasLabor #KS04

Thursday Thoughts 💭 Every voice matters. What information would you want before supporting a major data center project in your community? Drop it in the comments. I’m listening. #CommunityVoices #DataCenterDebate #YourVoiceMatters #CommunityInput #ThursdayThoughts #LocalImpact #SpeakUp #ks04

Today in Kansas Senate Bill 244 goes into effect, the so-called “trans bathroom bill.” It not only dictates where people can use the restroom, but this law invalidates over 1,700 Kansans’ driver’s licenses overnight, forcing them to pay for new ones without any funding from the state and no grace period – during a special election or face criminal charges and fines. Why are we taking rights and liberties away from a small minority? These types of culture wars are engineered to distract from the very real issues that most people are struggling with like the rising costs of groceries, medications and healthcare. 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠. This is the latest in a series of laws that don’t solve real problems,. It only makes it harder for people to vote, adds financial burdens, and dehumanizes a group of Kansans who simply want to live their lives in peace. 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐎𝐍𝐄 should have the right to bodily autonomy. Trans Kansans deserve to feel heard, respected, and safe. Leadership should lift up every Kansan and prioritize practical solutions over political theater. Human dignity matters and our laws should reflect that. #ProtectTransRights #KansasEquality #LetThemLive #StopTheHate #TransRightsAreHumanRights #VoteForJustice #endculturewars #kso4

I’m on the move in District 4! This morning I hit the road to #kingmanks and took in those wide-open and beautiful Kansas views. Rural communities like this are the backbone of our state. The farmers, small business owners, and families here keep Kansas strong. I’ve been shaking hands, walking Main Streets, and sitting down with folks who are working hard every single day to provide, to grow, and to do the work that feeds our state and powers our local economies. When you get out of the office and into communities, you see what’s really happening. You hear what families are facing. And you learn what needs to change. I’m grateful for every conversation and every welcome. Thank you, Kingman County, for opening your doors today. If you want me to visit your town or stop by your business, reach out to the campaign and let us know. I’d love to see you next. #KansasStrong #RuralVoices #District4 #OnTheRoad #SupportFarmers #ks04 #KS04 #MainStreetUSA #CommunityFirst

Today I met with members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers here in Wichita. These are the men and women who build what keeps our country safe and our local economy strong. I spent 31 years in the Army and Air Force. I know firsthand that the strength of our military depends on the skill and precision of American machinists. Supporting labor means protecting collective bargaining rights, investing in technical education, and ensuring trade policies don’t undercut American workers. When I see that level of skill and commitment right here at home, it makes me proud to be a Kansan. Thank you for the opportunity! #SupportAmericanWorkers #UnionStrong #MadeInAmerica #LaborRights #KS04 #ks04 #ks04 #ProtectWorkers #StrongerTogether

I’ll be honest. I was up off the couch during the halftime show. Music does that. It pulls you in. 𝐈𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬. The American story has never been written only in laws and elections.𝐈𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐡𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞. In jazz out of New Orleans. In hip hop out of New York. In Tejano music out of Texas. In Rock-n'-Roll out of Cleveland. 𝐈𝐧 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞. 𝐀 𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐭. 𝐀 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬. So when some in Congress respond to that kind of moment by calling it inappropriate and launching investigations, it misses the point completely. 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲. It is the reason this country leads the world in culture, innovation, and opportunity. That is why I am running. 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲. If you believe America’s strength comes from its diversity, i𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐢𝐭, I am asking you to invest in this campaign. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, chip in $2.14 or $214 if you are able. Think of it as a small act of love for a campaign rooted in dignity, service, and opportunity. Happy Valentine’s Day, Kansas, https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lovemycountry Chris Carmichael #voicesofamerica #actoflove #ks04 #givefromtheheart ##ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀᴛᴏɢᴇᴛʜᴇʀ

Thursday Thoughts 💭 Every voice matters. What’s one issue in our community that deserves more attention? Drop it in the comments. I’m listening. #thursdaythoughts #imlistening #everyvoicematters #kansasvoices #shareyourthoughts

February is Black History Month—a time to recognize the achievements and lasting impact of Black Americans, including here in Kansas. As a state founded as a free state, Kansas has long been shaped by Black leaders, educators, service members, and communities who helped build and strengthen it. Their history is Kansas history.#blackhistorymonth #kansasproud #blackleadership #celebrateblackhistory #blackexcellence✊🏾

Today marks one year since 67 people were killed in a midair collision between an American Eagle flight from Wichita and an Army helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington, DC. Among them, at least 7 were Kansans: from Butler County, Wichita, Kiowa, and El Dorado. They were mothers and fathers. Sons and daughters. Aunts, uncles, friends, and neighbors. People who shared our towns, our routines, and our lives. Their loved ones say the loss left behind a hole that can never be filled; a silence that still echoes across our state. Today, Kansas remembers. We grieve together. And we honor every life lost by holding their families close and never forgetting that they were part of us. #flight5342 #inmemoriam #kansasremembers #kansasstrong #gonebutnotforgotten

Happy Kansas Day 🌻 Kansas Day marks the anniversary of Kansas joining the Union in 1861, after a defining fight to enter as a Free State. That legacy shaped who we are: a state built on the belief that freedom, fairness, and opportunity should belong to everyone. I am proud of our communities, our resilience, and the shared values that continue to shape our state and its future. And I am proud to call Kansas home. #kansasday #kansasproud🌻 #freestate #kansashistory

Today we mark the 73rd Holocaust Remembrance Day — a solemn moment to honor the six million Jews and countless others whose lives were taken by hatred and indifference. We remember not only what was lost, but what humanity must never forget: silence in the face of injustice allows cruelty to grow. When we see someone treated unfairly, we must speak up. Standing up for what’s right keeps our communities strong and free. May we carry their memory forward with courage — by standing up for dignity, truth, and the rights of all people - everyday. #holocaustrememberanceday #standforjustice #humanrightsforalll #notohate #historymatters #speakout #humandignity

It’s hard to call yourself a “defender of the 2nd Amendment” when you only apply that belief to certain people. In Minneapolis, The Police Chief confirmed that Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old man killed by ICE agents, had a permit to carry a firearm. Federal officials say he was armed, but 𝗻𝗼 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗼𝗻. Bystander footage appears to show him holding a phone, not a gun, before he was tackled and then shot. Yet instead of defending his constitutional rights, 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱. Contrast that with how many of those same voices 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗞𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲, who openly carried a long gun during the 2020 protests, and ended up 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗻 framing that as a defense of “lawful gun rights.” You can't pick and choose who gets their 2nd Amendment rights. The Constitution doesn’t come with a footnote that says 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑘𝑠, 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠, 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑠. If you truly support our rights, you support them 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆. #KS04 #secondamendment #ks04 #KS04 #EqualJustice #equaljustice #AccountabilityNow #civilrights #EndGunViolence #endgunviolence #KansasPolitics #kansaspolitics #publicsafety #PublicSafety #commonsensegunlaws