Platform
Principled Moderation: Moderation with a Backbone
Intro
Our platform is guided by Principled Moderation. This is our term for moderation with a backbone. It is a practical and optimistic governing philosophy rooted in Kansas values and committed to thoughtful, common-sense leadership.
Our party believes its candidates should have broad flexibility in how they vote on the issues before them. As a republic, our nation relies on communities electing representatives who reflect local values and act in their best interests.
A candidate from rural western Kansas will naturally have different priorities than one from an eastern suburban city. But both are Kansans, united in the search for solutions.
That’s why a party must balance flexibility with shared values and principles, offering room for local priorities while holding firm to the core values that give it meaning.
Free State’s Platform Includes:
Firm in our support for the Constitution, the rule of law, and the Kansas tradition of steady, fair-minded leadership.
Policies that reflect common sense, care for neighbors, and the enduring values that give our party its backbone.
Mission Statement
We are uniting to defend our democracy and renew a spirit of optimism by giving voice to the broad, pragmatic political center.
Our Principles: A Tradition of Principled Moderation
Principled Moderation isn’t just an idea. It guides how we approach every decision and gives moderation a clear, principled voice. It turns vague in-between positions into real, actionable stands based on lasting values. These principles provide direction and guardrails, keeping our party grounded in lasting values and steering clear of the extremes that have divided our communities.
Rooted in a proud Kansas tradition of steady, fair-minded leadership, our principles reflect a commitment to liberty balanced with responsibility, respect for diverse voices, and practical, common-sense government. Together, they define how we defend democracy, strengthen community, and pursue meaningful progress for all Kansans.
Free State Party Principles:
I. Foundational Commitments
We support and stand ready to defend the Constitution and the democratic republic it established.
We support the rule of law and the equality of all before the law. Both are essential to a free and fair democracy.
We are proud of America’s founding ideals and committed to renewing the march toward fully realizing them. We are patriotic but not nationalistic.
We believe in balancing liberty and equality, ensuring people can live freely while respecting the rights of others to do the same. A “you live your life, I’ll live mine” approach.
Our essential values are liberty, equality, fairness, community, and the belief that all people matter.
We honor Kansas’s tradition of helping one another. There are things we can accomplish together that we cannot do alone. A healthy sense of community includes stepping up for our neighbors.
Fiscal responsibility is fundamental to public trust. It means maintaining focus on priorities, making difficult decisions, and ensuring we live within our means.
II. Civic Ethics and Governing Leadership
Decency and respect are a mark of strength, not weakness.
Diversity of opinion, belief, and lifestyle is a core strength of our nation, not a threat.
Our opponents are not our enemies. They are the voices of other Kansans, deserving of respect even in disagreement.
We reject performative politics in favor of pragmatic, respectful, and results-oriented leadership. We recognize that today’s challenges are complex, and no one has all the answers.
Issues
Issues (Last Updated 7.06.25)
Affordable Housing
Every Kansas family deserves a fair shot at homeownership. We support expanding affordable housing, with a focus on starter homes for first-time buyers. By working with communities and developers, we will work to reduce barriers to homeownership.
Childcare
Kansas families deserve access to affordable, reliable childcare. We support practical and fiscally responsible solutions to ease childcare costs, expand availability, and give parents the flexibility they need to work, raise families, and thrive.
Economy
A strong economy fosters job creation, innovation, and financial stability. Government should be a partner by providing the educational and physical infrastructures needed for private industry to thrive. Tariff-induced trade wars are harmful to Kansas workers, farmers, and other businesses.
Education
Our youth are our future. Higher, technical, secondary, and elementary education need to be funded as the foundational structure that they are. This does not mean unlimited funding but sufficient funding with clear expectations of success, especially in teaching reading.
Environment
We must be good stewards of the planet we have inherited. Climate change is real and, whatever its causes, needs to be addressed through a responsible mixture of diversifying our energy sources, strengthening our infrastructure, and adapting to the changes.
Fiscal Responsibility
A fiscally responsible government ensures that public spending is efficient, transparent, and sustainable. It must balance the need for essential services and investments with careful management of debt and deficits to protect long-term economic stability.
Government
Government is neither always the enemy nor the solution. Government is essential for protecting rights, ensuring public safety, and providing services that support the public good.
Guns
We believe there is room for both gun rights and reasonable regulations to ensure the safety of our communities and our children.
Health Care
We believe health care must be accessible to all Kansans. Government must simplify the confusing web of insurance, regulation, and restrictions that make it harder for Kansans to get the care they need. Medicaid expansion is crucial to supporting our low-income residents. Our rural hospitals are struggling and will continue to close without addressing their needs.
Immigration
Legal immigration is important to our state. We support a strong border with humane treatment of undocumented people, a clear path to citizenship for long-time residents, and an ample visa program for temporary workers while protecting their labor rights.
Partisan Election of Kansas Supreme Court Justices
We oppose the proposed constitutional amendment to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices. For nearly seven decades, our merit-based appointment system has protected judicial independence. Courts must remain impartial, free from partisan elections and special interest money.
Reproductive Rights
We support the right of women to control and make choices about their health, including abortion. We support and respect the decisive decision made by Kansas voters in 2022.
Social Media
While protecting free speech, we support holding social media companies accountable for harmful content. This includes exploring reform or repeal of special legal immunity given to online platforms in the 1990s. We favor a healthier, more responsible digital culture over the unchecked influence of powerful tech companies.
Taxes
Taxes support the services and infrastructure we all rely on. Government must spend and tax responsibly. A fair and efficient tax system helps maintain stability and opportunity for everyone. Property taxes should not be a barrier to home ownership.
Independence and Legislative Leadership
We will work with any party to address Kansas’s challenges, but we will not automatically align ourselves with either traditional party in the legislature. This keeps our elected officials independent, free to negotiate on behalf of their voters, and focused on practical solutions.