ED Note: We have updated this article with a statement from Rep. Sweely. We have reached out to Jason Probst but have not heard back.
Campaign finance records filed with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission show a newly formed political action committee opposing Republican state Rep. Kyler Sweely has received most of its funding from a Montana-based limited liability company tied to former Democratic state Rep. Jason Probst.
The PAC, Red Flags, reported raising $700 during the latest reporting period. According to the filing, $500 came from Hutch Matters LLC, a company registered in Kalispell, Montana, while the remaining $200 came from Melinda Lavon, chair of the Douglas County Democratic Party. Lavon also serves as the PAC's treasurer.
Montana business records list Probst as a member of Hutch Matters LLC. Probst, who represented Hutchinson in the Kansas House before losing to Sweely in 2024, has filed to run for the 102nd District seat again this year using a Hutchinson address.
According to a filing with the State of Kansas, Red Flags LLC says that their organization exists to do outreach to the public regarding policies that have an increased risk of danger to Kansas values and way of life.
Their website says, "Kansas politicians count on voters not paying attention. Red Flags exists to make that harder. We track what elected officials and candidates actually do in office, follow the money, and document the gaps between what they say and what the record shows."
According to the Sunflower State Journal, The PAC has also distributed text messages criticizing Sweely's acceptance of meals and entertainment from lobbyists. One message states, "Kyler Sweely is eating big time and lobbyists are footing the bill," and claims special interest groups spent nearly $5,000 entertaining the representative, making him the "4th most expensive vote" in the Kansas House. Recipients who replied to the message by texting "EAT" were directed to the Red Flags website.
Sweely is facing Tyson Thrall in the Republican primary. This year's campaign slogan is "Vote Thrall Y'all," and his platform includes protecting Kansas farmland, water resources and local control from outside development.
Rep. Sweely sent us the following statement:
“Jason Probst is teaming up with socialists to interfere in a Republican primary. State campaign finance records show Probst is connected to the PAC funding false and misleading anonymous attack texts, alongside Melinda Lavon, a leader in the Lawrence Democratic Socialists of America. Probst has chosen to back attacks against me in the republican primary because he sees me as the stronger candidate in the general. Jason Probst and the Democratic Socialists of America should stay out of Republican primaries. Hutch Republicans pick their own candidates, not Kansas Democrats, and not the Democratic Socialists of America.”
We have reached out to Jason Probst for comment.