| My name is Tobias Schlingensiepen (pronounced schling-in-zee-pen). I grew up in Topeka, Kansas, and live there today. I'm a pastor on leave from the First Congregational Church, a community leader, and a chaplain with the Topeka Police Department. I'm married to a wonderful woman named Abigail, and between us, we have eight children, aged 10 to 31.
As the son of immigrants, I believe in the American Dream. I saw its promise realized in the lives of my parents. That isn't just a line; that is my life. While I believe America is the land of opportunity, we must make certain there is opportunity for all, not just for the few.
My first political experiences were stuffing envelopes for 2nd District Congresswoman Martha Keys and Gov. John Carlin. I earned a BA from the University of Kansas (Class of '86). After attending seminary, I returned to Topeka to live and work.
In the last two years, I realized I could no longer stand on the sidelines. When Sam Brownback's administration announced the closing of the Kansas Neurological Institute, I couldn't stay silent. Closing KNI would have thrown into chaos the lives of more than 155 Kansans with severe physical and developmental disabilities. I organized a coalition of community leaders, and helped convince legislators from both sides of the aisle to keep KNI open. This is just one of the initiatives I've helped with recently. |