THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY, JULY 9, 2012
PAGE 13
POLITICS
Sophomore runs for Kansas house seat
JESSICA TIERNEY editor@kansan.com
Usually, when a 19-year-old student on campus has a complaint, he turns to a few typical forums: the Free for All, Wescoe Beach, maybe even an op-ed in the Kansan. With the hectic schedule of being a student and young adult, a lot of people simply don't have the time or energy to take their complaint much further.
One 19-year-old, however, is taking his involvement to a much higher level.
Mitchell Rucker, a sophomore from Burdett studying political science and economics, is currently running for a seat in 117th District of the Kansas House of Representatives. His first contest will be the Aug. 7 Republican primary in which he faces one other candidate, John Ewv. ofletmore.
Mitchell Rucker, a 19-year-old sophomore from Burdett, is running for a seat in the Kansas House of Representatives. The first test of his campaign will be August 7 when he faces off against John Ewy in the Republican primary.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
ern central Kansas. Very small. According to the 2010 United States census, the city population was 247. It's a town of farmers and open fields. The café, bank and antique shop are the main attractions of the city center. The town's school recently closed, something Rucker has not taken lightly.
Despite its small size, it's also a town driven by community, unity, and tradition. According to Rucker, these are some of the qualities that compelled him to run.
The general election for the seat will be Nov. 6.
"Running has always been something I've planned to do," Rucker said. "This is a great first experience."
Burdett is a small town in west-
When his Honors Program advisor and subsequent campaign manager, Chris Wiles, informed him of the possible effects of the Kansas
"Running has always been something I've planned to do. This is a great first experience."
MITCHELL RUCKER Sophomore from Burdett
legislature's recent redistricting plan on communities like Burdett, he was compelled even more.
especially lately," Rucker said. "The new state budget could have severely adverse effects on them."
"He realized this is an opportunity that doesn't come along that often," Wiles said.
Often, Rucker said, the needs of towns like Burdett are ignored by the state legislature.
Rucker stands about 5 feet 7 inches. His eyes are wide and intense. He speaks calmly. As a prime example of this, when others were running and screaming as a bat flew overhead in the room Rucker was in for this interview, he simply ducked and smirked.
Despite his age and relatively recent move to Lawrence, Rucker has already managed to make a name for himself.
"Their interests get overlooked,
He is the treasurer for Amnesty International, a member of both the student and University senates, a research assistant in the political science department, and a volunteer with the Center for Community Outreach.
Alex Rippburger, a senior from Olathe, was on the Student Senate Finance Committee with Rucker last year and immediately noticed his forthrightness.
"Even as a freshman, he stood up for what he believed in," said Rippburger. "I've never known Mitch to be timid."
Rucker has known his primary opponent, John Ewy, for many years. They maintain a friendly relationship, but Rucker believes
he holds more moderate positions. He doesn't think his age will be held against him in light of his opponent's.
"All of my feedback has been very supportive," Rucker said. "People
will listen to the ideas and judge me more so for that."
Edited by Allison Kohn
CAMPUS
Wescoe Beach undergoes much needed renovation
JESSICA JANASZ/KANSAN
Construction equipment sits on Wescoe Beach Sunday afternoon, a scene that will stay on Jayhawk Boulevard until August 1 when renovations are completed. More seating, trees and outlets will be installed, while some students are hoping for other luxuries such as wireless internet and fountains.
DYLAN DERRYBERRY
editor@kansan.com
It may look like a mess now, but Wescoe Beach is in the middle of a makeover.
The University Student Senate passed a bill allocating $100,000 to help fund the Wescoe Beach Renovation Project in March and construction on the campus landmark began June 15. The project plan includes adding additional seating, relocating of two light poles and adding another, and the installation of trees and electrical outlets.
Construction is expected to finish August 1. Funding for the project came from Student Senate's reserve funding and the Campus Safety Advisory Board's allocation of $25,000, both of which
were matched dollar-for-dollar by University administration, which brought the total project estimation to $250,000.
Former Student Body Vice President Gabe Bliss saw the remodel as a necessary action for such a notable place on campus.
"Students are always out there, they gather there and eat lunch, so it was really important that the students step up and say that it was time for change," said Bliss, a junior from Olathe. "It's one of the places that alums still talk about, and it hasn't been remodeled since the '70s. If we're going to have a spot for us, we might as well make it better than what is."
—Edited by Megan Hinman