Dennis Hastert mixed healthy doses of civics and history lessons into a political rally Wednesday.
Hastert, former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, was in Allen County during a fundraiser for Iolan Judy Brigham, who is running for a seat in the Kansas Legislature.
The Illinois native was in southeast Kansas on Brigham’s behalf, first at the Allen County Country Club Wednesday evening, then again this morning in Chanute.
Brigham is one of three Republican candidates seeking to represent the 9th District in the Kansas House of Representatives, which includes the western two-thirds of Allen County. She is opposed by Iolan Bud Sifers and Ed Bideau of Chanute.
Voters will choose one of the three in the Aug. 7 GOP primary. They have no Democratic opponents.
Hastert, who retired from Congress in 2010, spoke about the importance of grassroots activism in government, and the nobility of politics.
While many speak ill of politicians, a vast majority are in office because they want to serve their fellow citizens.
“A politician is somebody who spends his time trying to serve his community and trying to bring people together to get things done. That’s probably one of the higher callings there is,” he said. “If you’re really focused on what you want to do, you can do a lot of good,” Hastert said.
While the 9th District has about 30,000 residents, only a third – at best – will vote in the upcoming primary, Hastert noted. The key to reaching those is to find dedicated volunteers willing to reach out to friends, family and acquaintances, or through financial support.
Hastert said Brigham’s 32-year career as an Iola city employee, as well as her involvement with civic organizations, would support her well if elected to Topeka.
“She’s touched a lot of lives,” he said. “It has a cumulative effect.”
The best politicians, he said, are grassroots activists, ones who know how to get things done.
Government’s main focus should be on maintaining viable communities — particularly in rural America, Hastert said. The key to that is to remove government regulations in order to see businesses thrive.
Likewise, he pointed to a strong educational system as vital.
“Our greatest natural resource isn’t oil or gas or gold or silver,” Hastert said. “It’s kids. They really are our future.”
Hastert also spoke about history. His history.
