LAWRENCE, KS — State Representative Heather Vaughn has officially announced her campaign for Governor of Kansas as an independent candidate under the "One America" platform. With a focus on grassroots engagement, Vaughn aims to connect directly with citizens across the state. Vaughn, who describes herself as a "farm girl," emphasizes her non-political background, stating, “I’m not a career politician — I’m a farm girl who grew up fixing fence lines, feeding cattle, and learning that hard work beats political talk every single day.” She believes that the current political climate has strayed from serving the needs of Kansans, asserting that it is time for a governor who prioritizes the people over party politics. Raised in rural Douglas County, Vaughn has gained recognition for her straightforward approach and commitment to fiscal responsibility. During her tenure in the Kansas Legislature, she has advocated for various issues, including rural infrastructure, public education, small business growth, and local governance. Notably, she has pledged to refuse corporate PAC money, further distinguishing her campaign from traditional political funding sources. As part of her gubernatorial campaign, Vaughn has outlined several key priorities. She plans to focus on "kitchen table" issues such as reducing property taxes for working families, protecting Kansas farms and ranches, expanding broadband access, and investing in trade schools and technical education to enhance the workforce. “I won’t fit neatly in a political box — and that’s exactly why I’m running,” Vaughn stated. She believes that many Kansans are weary of partisan conflicts and desire leadership that reflects Kansas values, which she defines as honesty, humility, and hard work. Vaughn's campaign will kick off with a statewide "No Place Like Home" tour this spring, during which she plans to visit all 105 counties. The tour aims to foster direct communication with citizens, allowing them to share their concerns and ideas with her. “We’re going to do this the Kansas way — face to face, community to community,” Vaughn said. “Because real change starts with us.” Heather Vaughn was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives as an independent candidate and has since built a reputation for pragmatic leadership. She operates her family farm outside of Lawrence, where she resides with her family.