Campaign News

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/former-federal-workers-speak-out-about-being-fired-and-why-theyre-now-running-for-office PBS News Hour spoke to several former federal employees including our own Lauren Reinhold about their time in Federal Service and why they're running for Congress.

“I want to be an ambassador to restore trust in our federal services. Get people to recognize the importance of federal services — the ways they depend on it, even if they don't agree with everything the way it's done,” she said. “For the most part, people see my experience as good. I'm so excited, not just for myself, but all these other candidates who are running for offices at the state, local and federal level because we're going to really be able to impact government and

Lauren's back out on trail, talking with constituents while taking some time to sit down with Mike Matson during his podcast Within Reason and discuss campaigning in the Big First. You can see the full interview here.

Kansas Democrats running for Congress want to reclaim power from Trump -Kansas Democrats say Congress must reclaim power from President Trump Several Kansas Democratic congressional candidates expressed frustration with Congress and its perceived gridlock. -Candidates want Congress to reclaim its constitutional powers from the executive branch. -The candidates criticized the current administration's handling of tariffs, which they say have harmed Kansas farmers. -Multiple can

After Trump’s Cuts, Some Former Federal Workers Are Now Seeking Office - The New York Times As featured in this New York Times article, the American political landscape is shifting as more former federal employees, like Lauren, become candidates. Federal employees like Lauren understand the inner workings of government better than most. They have seen how policies are implemented and where the system succeeds or falls short. This knowledge equips them to propose practical sol

The Oberlin Herald Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026 | $1 The "Big First District" has new Democrat candidate By Destry Jackson Lauren Reinhold is a Democrat candidate for the Kansas First Congressional District, also known as the "Big First" District, as it encompasses the majority of the state. Reinhold said her parents brought her to Kansas as a baby, and they lived in Kansas for six years before moving back to St. Louis. "I later came back to Kansas for law school at age 22," Rein

Recent reporting highlights the early action shaping up in the race for Kansas’ 1st Congressional District, where incumbents and challengers are beginning to define the issues and stakes for 2026. According to Lawrence Journal-World , a pair of Democrats from Lawrence launched campaigns to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, who has held the seat for multiple terms in a district that stretches from northeast Kansas to the Colorado border. LJWorld.com Among those runni

Recent reporting from the Kansas Reflector highlights growing interest in the 2026 congressional race in Kansas’ 1st District, including early organizing activity in Lawrence and conversations about how Democrats plan to compete in one of the largest and most rural districts in the country. The story notes that Lauren Reinhold , a Lawrence-based attorney and former federal employee, is among those stepping forward to run for Congress. According to the reporting, Reinhold bri

As we head into the new year, I want to share an important milestone: I will officially file to run for Congress in Kansas’ 1st District at the beginning of the year. This step marks the formal start of the campaign, but the work has already been underway—listening to Kansans, building a grassroots team, and standing up for working families and rural communities. I’m running because I believe Kansas deserves better than politics driven by corporate interests and broken promis

Kansas’ 1st Congressional District is known as the Big First for a reason. It stretches across rural communities, small towns, farms, and cities that are the backbone of our state. But too often, the needs of the Big First are treated as an afterthought in Washington—especially when it comes to rural healthcare, fair markets for farmers, and economic security for working families. I believe the Big First deserves a representative who shows up, listens, and understands what li

I’m excited to officially launch our campaign website and share this next step with you. This site isn’t just about me—it’s about creating a place where Kansans across the Big First can learn what this campaign stands for, find reliable voting information, and connect directly with our team. From rural healthcare and agriculture to worker rights and government integrity, this campaign is grounded in the belief that leadership starts with listening. As I’ve traveled across Kan

We’re pleased to share the official press kit for the Lauren Reinhold for Congress campaign. This page is designed as a central resource for members of the media, community organizations, and partners seeking accurate, up-to-date information about Lauren, her background, and her campaign for Kansas’ 1st Congressional District. Lauren Reinhold is a Kansan, attorney, former federal employee, and labor advocate running on a platform centered on affordability, prosperity, and sec