Last fall, Republicans learned a hard lesson that houses divided inevitably fall, when a third-party candidate backed by some in our own party handed the governor a second term with less than a majority of the vote.

A second term with a Democrat governor means there is a much higher threshold to legislative success.

Thankfully, we were able to override the governor’s veto on the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, the Women’s Bill of Rights, a ban on human smuggling to combat illegal immigration, the Born Alive Protection Act, the Women’s Right to Know Act, and funding for pregnancy resource centers.

However, we fell just a few votes shy of overriding her veto and enacting legislation that would have provided historic tax relief to all Kansans, enhanced your health freedom, and prevented minors from being mutilated by undergoing experimental, life-altering surgeries. With a Republican governor, these measures — and many others — would now be the law of the land.

I firmly believe that when we are unified and focused on promoting the principles found within our platform, Kansans will decisively side with Republicans. Florida and Iowa are two examples of states that are now seeing the fruits of that unity and focus.

To achieve victory, we need to stop creating factions within our party and work instead to come together around our common principles. For example, declaring some as “patriots” or “patriot conservatives” implies that other conservatives are not patriots. That naturally leads some to sit on the sidelines when we need everyone on the field.

Rather than using the term as a label to sew division, let’s remember what it truly means to be a patriot.

The pro-life activist who stands in front of an abortion clinic and convinces a young mother to choose life…is a patriot.

The homeschool mom who starts her own small business so she can both earn a living and educate her children according to her faith and values…is a patriot.

The public school teacher who quietly works behind the scenes to resist a radical ideology from indoctrinating her students…is a patriot.

The college swimmer who travels throughout the country to protect and defend the incredible “Gaines” we have made for women…is a patriot.

The state legislator who stands firm in defense of what is right — despite receiving vile hatred from his own party — may not even be a Republican…but he is definitely a patriot.

The state legislator who, even after sustaining a horrific injury, comes to Topeka and points to the sky to cast the decisive vote to ensure the Born Alive Protection Act becomes law…is a patriot.

The truth is, all who love, support, and defend this great country and state are patriots, and all who support the Republican platform are patriots.

As we head into this year’s local elections and 2024, I encourage my fellow Republicans to emulate the spirit and leadership found in these everyday heroes. If we do so, I am confident that victories will soon follow — both at the ballot box and in the halls of every level of government.

It is an honor to serve the people of Kansas. God bless you and God bless the great state of Kans