Common Ground Brings Statewide Democratic Candidates to Rural Kansas
April 11, 2026
OBERLIN — For one day, the Gateway Civic Center became the focal point of a broader political conversation centered on rural Kansas, as candidates and residents gathered for the “Common Ground” event hosted by the Decatur County Democratic Party on April 11.
The event, organized by Chair Lorie Wood, brought together candidates from across Kansas representing a wide range of statewide and regional races. Offices represented included U.S. Senate, the 1st Congressional District, Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, multiple Kansas House districts, Board of Education, and District Magistrate Judge.
According to Wood, turnout exceeded expectations and underscored a growing interest in political engagement across northwest Kansas.
“We had 96 people go through the lunch line, and at one point we were told there were around 161 people in attendance,” Wood said. “We had more people show up than we have registered Democrats in our county.”
The event stood out not only for its turnout, but for the breadth of candidates willing to travel to rural Kansas. Seven of nine Democratic candidates in the U.S. Senate race were represented, including Ethan Corson and Cindy Holscher, who joined via Zoom. Additional candidates across statewide and legislative races included:
Some races did not have Democratic representation present, but the overall participation created what Wood described as a uniquely comprehensive opportunity for voters.
“I don’t think anywhere else had all of these candidates in one spot,” she said. “You might see all Senate candidates together or all gubernatorial candidates together, but not this kind of mix.”
One of the defining characteristics of the event, according to organizers and attendees, was the tone.
Wood emphasized that candidates focused on their own platforms rather than criticizing opponents—a contrast to national political trends.
“Not one of them said a negative thing about another candidate,” she said. “It was very civil. It was about what they would do for Kansas.”
That tone aligned with the event’s underlying goal: finding shared priorities across political and geographic divides.
“We wanted to show that there’s not really anything so uniquely partisan that others can’t find common ground on,” Wood said.
While Decatur County hosted the event, it was a regional effort. Democratic organizations from Thomas, Norton, Smith, and Ellis counties contributed through funding, logistics, and outreach.
Additional support came from the Food & Farm Caucus, along with individual donors and sponsors who helped offset event costs.
“It wasn’t free to put together, but the support we received was incredible,” Wood said. “People believed in the idea.”
The event’s messaging consistently returned to one theme: ensuring rural Kansas is represented in statewide decision-making.
Organizers highlighted the importance of candidates engaging directly with smaller communities, rather than focusing solely on urban population centers.
“We had people travel from across the state—even as far as Johnson County—to be there,” Wood said. “It showed that rural Kansas matters.”
She also noted that attendees included individuals from across the political spectrum, with some unaffiliated and Republican residents expressing appreciation for the event’s format and tone.
With the success of Common Ground 2026, organizers are already fielding questions about future events. While no official plans have been announced, discussions are expected at the group’s next meeting on May 5.
“We’ve had a lot of people ask, ‘What’s next?’” Wood said. “We’re going to sit down and figure that out.”
For those interested in getting involved, the Decatur County Democratic Party meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Gateway Civic Center, with a virtual option also available.