FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Longtime educator Lisa Johnston announces her candidacy for U.S. Senate race in Kansas

Overland Park, Kansas — April 28, 2010 — After seventeen years in higher education teaching and supporting students, Lisa Johnston announced today that she will take a leave of absence from her position at Baker University to become a candidate for the United States Senate. “As a political outsider, I will bring a fresh perspective to Washington. Sometimes it takes an individual who is not part of the current political landscape to ask tough questions about our current practices, propose new ideas, and find better ways to move forward.” said Johnston.

Lisa has spent the last seventeen years working in higher education teaching and supporting students. For the past seven years she has worked as Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services at Baker University where she both teaches courses and oversees a variety of support services for students. As an educator, she understands the critical importance of ensuring that young people in our country are provided with a top-notch education.

During her seven years at Baker University, Lisa has served on various committees and task force groups as well as the faculty senate and has been actively involved in the faculty legislative and governance process, helping to set policies and procedures to benefit students pursuing their degrees. She oversees budgets for three academic units and is a skilled and prudent financial manager. She understands the critical nature of setting spending priorities and working with available funds to support those priorities.

“There are those who underestimate the people of our great state and claim that Kansas voters will not elect a Democratic U.S. Senator. But I know what Kansans care about most is not the letter beside your name but if you are the right person for the job.”, said Johnston.

In explaining why she chose to run for Senate, Lisa stated, “I believe the people of Kansas are hungry for a candidate who is not a career politician but is an everyday individual with leadership skills and professional expertise in an area that is critically important for the future of our state and our nation.”

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