Our Guy In Politics

Usually, when a dog is named Teddy, you assume it's because he's cuddly. Unless he belongs to Ethan Spurling. Those of us who know Ethan would undoubtedly make the connection to the great Theodore Roosevelt. That's just Ethan. Of course, the dog is named after a political figure. 

In Frontenac, the name Ethan Spurling and politics go hand in hand. That boy seemed born to have his name on the ballot. He ran for the Frontenac school board in his senior year of high school. 

In his early 20s, he captured his seat in the Frontenac City Council, where he served for four years. Before he was 30, he served as Operations and Scheduling Coordinator and then Director of Government Affairs at the Kansas Department of Revenue under Governor Kelly. 

I worked with Ethan for years on projects here in Frontenac and was always impressed by how willing he was to do anything for the town. Few people care as deeply about the well-being of Frontenac as Ethan. 

He is now working for an education nonprofit in Lawrence, lobbying for better opportunities for Kansas schools. 

There is no doubt that Ethan is a rising star in the political arena of Kansas state politics. One who often wins races and friends while he crosses the aisle to get things done. 

So it came as no surprise that Ethan is going after a seat in the Douglas County Commission, an area that includes Lawrence. The goal, however, is so “Frontenac”. It's not just about winning, it's about the people. The community. 

When asked about the race, he told me flat out and with confidence, “I think I'm the right person for the job. I really do.” But then his tone changed and became really serious. “But, if I lose, and we still increase voter turnout. That's what really matters.”

At first, I was surprised. It's rare for a politician of any stripe to list anything as important as winning. Make no mistake, he's going for the gold. Ethan can explain his policy ideas, reforms, or community goals with the edge of a man who undoubtedly wants to be on top on election day. 

Yet, talking to him about this race you realize this isn't just an opportunity for him to climb politically. It's a moment he's seizing to help. He wants to empower young people in Lawrence to get involved. To learn about the political process and to vote. 

You can see the echoes of the Amazon Army in how he talks excitedly about everyone having the right to have a say in their future. Frontenac values sneak in when he mentions how community should matter more than party, and that everyone getting a chance to be involved is more important than winning. 

In short, Ethan Spurling may have found his wings in big-city Kansas politics, but his roots and values are still firmly in Frontenac soil. 

We wish him all the best in his race. - Keesh