Tyler Holmes, Overland Park freshman, ran for Kansas’ 28th district representative. Although Holmes lost to Republican Incumbent, Pat Colloton, he managed to receive a stunning quarter of the votes.

Holmes, who’s goal was to get 1,000 votes, was pleasantly surprised when he received about 4,000 votes.

His age and political party may have affected his chances at victory, but Holmes remained confident and continued to receive support through the entire election process.

“I’m running because I think Americans of every race, gender, creed, occupation, age, nationality and music preference, among other classifications, must take part in the conversation to turn the current situation around,” Holmes said.

Most college students would find it impossible to take on a challenge like this during their first semester of freshman year, but Holmes was able to balance an 18 hour course load and the duties of running his own campaign.

“So far I’ve managed without getting behind too much in any class, but I am constantly am thinking about what I could be doing for the campaign while trying to satisfy my scholastic duties,” Holmes said.

Representative Colloton and Holmes differ in gender, political party, age and years of experience. Although Colloton thinks “it’s great that a young person is involved with politics,” she thinks Holmes would’ve been too young and too inexperienced to be state representative.

“Tyler is a nice kid, but I think it’s presumptuous to want to represent the citizens of Leawood without much background and experience. It’s a step too far and while it’s nice to see someone young want to be involved with politics, he’s too young to hold such a position. When I was in college, I ran for student senate, and was elected treasurer. I wanted to represent the people in my immediate community. Tyler should start his political career in the smaller community that is closest to him now,” Colloton said.

However, Holmes is far too ambitious to start small, and feels he has enough knowledge and heart to hold a position in office.

He would like to see Kansas specialize in wind energy and would like the state to spend more money on better teaching methods, rather than standardized testing.

“The federal government should utilize the prevalent energy in each state. For Kansas, that’s wind. Supporting wind energy could also create more local jobs. And I think standardized testing is a waste. Extra testing just perpetuates students cramming and cheating and not storing the information long-term,” Holmes said.

Holmes also wants to use the state’s “wasted funds” to make Kansas’ state universities more affordable.

“We cannot continue to put such a burden on those seeking higher education. Our smartest people should be motivated to learn, and discover and dream, not take the most financially secure route. Tuition cannot be allowed to rise substantially until the product offered improves too. That will be fair,” Holmes said.

Holmes is extremely opposed to Representative Colloton’s plan to draw funds from “the proposed gambling infrastructure revenue stream.”

“I simply find it appalling considering the economic circumstances we’re in. While Kansans are already hurting for cash and thus contributing less to state revenues, we want to encourage them to gamble to create a cash flow to fund state projects?” Holmes said.

Holmes’ biggest supporters are his friends and teachers from high school.

“I must thank them because they have been totally supportive, even when I wasn’t confident in the whole idea, in me chasing my dreams. Their encouragement has meant a ton,” Holmes said.

“I’m voting for Tyler because it’s amazing that someone so young cares enough about what he believes in to run for a position in office. He’s always been passionate about politics, and knows his stuff,” Jessica Cassin, Overland Park freshman, said. Cassin went to Blue Valley North High School with Holmes.

He was voted “Most Likely to be President” by his senior class.

Along with support, Holmes can attribute his passion and great understanding of The Government from his former teachers like Nancy Pence and Jeff Breedlove.

“He is a dedicated lover of government and politics. He is the kind of person to bring pride and honor back to government office. He is young, but passionate and caring,” Pence said. “I think that Tyler’s running is a great idea. His desire to affect change and contribute to the political process is inspiring. Instead of talking he is taking action. He has always had a real command of the issues and now he is possibly going to be in a position to act upon his convictions,” Breedlove said.

Holmes realizes, and was prepared to face the many changes he may or may not have to make in his life.

“If this happens, it will take a major change. There will be far more work than simply running my own campaign. I will have plenty to learn. But should the voters make that choice, I would do whatever it takes to serve them as they deserve. This experience has not been easy, but it has been fun and certainly served a great purpose.” Holmes said.