On September 17, 2007 I filed for House Representative, District 73, at the Secretary of State office in Topeka. From there I went to the Attorney General's office to let the staff know that I filed. I had NAMI business in Topeka as well. The State Party office was just a block away and I walked over to touch base with them too.

Working with a Campaign Manager from Baltimore, a National Campaign Consultant who also works John Edwards for President and a local Treasurer was indeed "Working Towards The Stars Through Difficulties", the saying on my favorite t-shirt.

I have attended the New Candidate Class and am now alone getting ready for the race by getting in to the starting blocks and in position for the start of the race.

The gun has gone off. The first leg of the race is fund raising. Everyone has told me that it takes a lot of money to be in a political race. I am going to share my view about money.

When you file for office you do not receive an application form like you are applying for a job. You do not give references. You do not get a personal interview to see if you are the person for the job.

What you are given is a task. The task is to fund raise. It has nothing to do with how much money you currently have. The objective is to raise funds by getting contributions.

Fund raising is the method used to find out if the candidate has credibility with his family and friends. Everyone knows that 99% of your references listed on your resume will be favorable. What I always asked when I was interviewing a person was to give me your peers and family members. I wanted to get candid answers from people who really knew you. The same mind-set is used in politics.

The response on references, however, is different between interviewing for a job and running for public office. For a job your reference is confirmed with a supportive phone call and possibly a letter. For public office your recommendations come in the form of money. This is a great way to determine if you are credible or not. If your family and friends are not willing to contribute money to you their reference is saying you are not a credible person. When money is given by family and friends means that you are in good standing at home. The larger the contribution means a better reference is being given. The way you recommend me is putting your money where your mouth is. It is a measuring tool. A contribution record is required by law listing the contributor and the amount of money donated. By simply looking at the list two things are determined: how many of his family and peers feel he is in good standing and how high of a recommendation do they give him. A long list with small contributions is just as important as a short list with high contributions. In my case high equates to $500 for the primary and $500 for the general election. If a family member says you are worth a million bucks the greatest complement that you can receive is a total of $1,000. That's the rules for checking on your references. It is indeed a credibility issue.

Instead of having a personal interview you have to look at it as everyone is giving you that personal interview. What you normally find out in an interview for a job is communication skills, knowledge of the job, greatest strength and weakness. Plus a person like me also goes on his 'gut feelings'.

The way you go about fund raising shows your qualities. Your strengths and your weakness.

There you have it. No application form or resume. Instead it is fund raising for your references and how you go about it is your personal interview.

Regarding everybody watching is true. Your Party, the other Party, your opponent(s), Electors, Legislators, concerned citizens and of course the media. The Presidential Fund Raising is what you see and hear most. Their reason for fund raising is just like mine.

I hope you can give me a good reference with your contribution. Remember, this is not a donation that you can deduct from your income tax. The contribution mentality is a way to measure your credibility.

There is a goal for me to meet by the end of the year. I need your recommendation by the end of November. I can not make it without your good reference.

Thank you.

Randy Conyers
1603 Jody Lane
McPherson, Ks 67460
620.755.5267
randallcrandall@yahoo.com