By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After the parade Saturday morning in Hutchinson, the Reno County Republican Party held a barbecue event where candidates were allowed to speak at Memorial Hall. Congressman Roger Marshall, who is running for the U.S. Senate, was impressed by the size of the parade in Hutch Saturday.
"We literally counted over 800 cars," Marshall said. "I'm guessing, what do you think, there was four people on average? I saw cars with three, cars with five, never just two though, right? However many that is, you know, it must be 3000 people. We were at one in Kansas City, Missouri about a month ago and it was probably bigger, but other than that one, I can't think of anything bigger. I know everyone is just ready for Tuesday to be here."
Marshall is honestly surprised at how engaged everyone has been this election season.
"We thought it would be an uptick, but nothing like this," Marshall said. "It's almost like even the whole COVID thing has helped people to figure out a different way to do it, so maybe more people got the early ballots in. Whatever we're seeing, it's great. By the way, Republicans are out there in force outnumbering the Democrats in early voting. That's going to be a big plus as we go into election day."
Marshall knows there will be multiple issues where he needs to hit the ground running if he wins Tuesday.
"Number one to me is the economy and people's health and security, is that 1a or 1b?" Marshall said. "We'll be working on both of those at the same time. Keeping us safe, healthy and secure, as well as getting this economy going. Some great economic numbers out this week, a 33% growth in GDP, unemployment in Kansas is down to 5%. Our economy's trying to get fired back up again."
For Mann, he knows that a Saturday parade probably helped, but he's still impressed.
"Unbelievable turnout, unbelievable excitement here in Reno County, downtown Hutch, supporting the President, supporting America," Mann said. "If people weren't able to be there, as far as you could see, you would see vehicles lined up, flags for Trump, for America, the biggest one I've ever been part of and it was really awesome."
Mann told the crowd that stuck around for the speeches and to talk to him in person that he thinks Republicans could take control of the House.
"If you look at the swing districts Democrats won the last cycle and you add up all those, the races were decided by less than 150,000 total votes," Mann said. "There absolutely is a path to taking back the House. We'll see. It all depends on who shows up to the polls on Tuesday, how those results go. Trump's surging. Don't count out the President. The Senate, I think, we will likely retain as Republicans. I wouldn't count out the House of Representatives, either. I feel like there's a surge happening and we're hoping for the best."
Mann has four kids. His two oldest were in Hutchinson with him Saturday. He admits that being a Congressman, should he win, will be hard in that regard.
"My kids are the reason both to run and not to run," Mann said. "Not to run because its hard to be away from them. It's fun, like this morning to take them, bring them with me and they got to experience the Trump train. The reason you're running is you want to make sure that we preserve America for our kids and grandkids, great grandkids and America, as we see it right now, is threatened and we've got to make sure that we step up and protect our great country."
In addition to Marshall and Mann, local statehouse candidates Paul Waggoner, Michael Murphy and John Whitesel spoke at the lunch, along with state senate candidate Dr. Mark Steffen.