HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Tyson Thrall, an employee of Kansas Corrections Industries and a resident of Hutchinson, is running as a candidate for Kansas House District 102. In a recent interview, Thrall discussed his background, campaign principles, and vision for the district.
Background and Experience
“My name is Tyson Thrall. I’ll have been married to my beautiful wife Kayla Thrall for 12 years in October. We have three children, two boys and a girl,” Thrall introduced himself, adding, “I work full time at Kansas Corrections Industries, actually the East Unit prison here in Hutch… And on the side, I help people grow and protect their legacy through life insurance annuities and also help implement digital trust”.
Motivations for Running
Thrall explained his decision to run for office by referencing organizations that inspired him: “A few years ago, I started listening to a few guys, a couple organizations called Wall Builders and Patriot Academy… Wall Builders… is founded upon the scripture in Nehemiah, where Nehemiah returns to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem so they would no longer be a reproach to the Lord”. He explains that Wall Builders’ purpose is to “ rebuild the walls of the republic, the constitutional republic that we have, so that things would go better.” He added that “the walls have been crumbling for decades,” and Thrall says he wants to affect it in the best way that he can.
Political Philosophy
Describing himself as a constitutional conservative, Thrall explained: “It comes down to jurisdictional lines…the government has 17 enumerated powers…it’s all dependent on the consent of the governed. That’s you and me. So government, in a lot of ways, I think we’ve seen that they’ve exceeded their jurisdiction…and we need to take that back”. He used a sports analogy to clarify his values: “When you’re playing and the ball goes out of bounds…The whistle blows, you pause the game and you reset…I think what we need…is people that will look at…jurisdictional lines…and just say, hey, you’re out of bounds…We need to reset…take away those things that aren’t constitutionally yours, and we need to take them back and give them back to whoever they belong to”.
Policy Priorities: Faith and Community Initiative
Among his priorities, Thrall emphasized what he calls the Faith and Community Initiative. “One of my priorities is called the Faith and Community Initiative,” he said, referencing efforts in Florida as a model. “What they did was they went ahead and they made thank you cards, and they sent it out to about 40,000 churches, nonprofits, synagogues, things like that…we want to say thank you for standing on the front lines for the most vulnerable among us, as James (1:27) said, the orphans and the widows and taking care of those people…They also attached a questionnaire to that”.
Thrall highlighted data related to foster care: “They figured out that about 80% of kids that are in foster care are because of neglect, 20% is abuse. We can pretty much guarantee that because man is fallen and sinful, that that 20% is going to remain there of the abuse. But the 80% neglect, we could affect that.”
Approach to Collaboration
Speaking about working with others in the state house, Thrall said, “It’s pretty easy to work together” with those he already agrees with, but “with those that…we maybe see differently, really it comes down to listening, being respectful…and trying to find common ground…if you have common ground, there’s something to build upon”.
Key Message to Voters
Asked what he most wants voters to know, Thrall replied: “I want voters to know that I’m not party driven, I’m principle driven. And the principles that drive me are the principles that come from the Bible”. He cited historical figures to reinforce this message: “George Washington…said, ‘Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports…"”. Thrall concluded that a society “void of morality and religion…our constitution won’t work for it,” advocating for self governance and knowing how to treat each other. “teaching that, educating people that this will produce the best result in your life and in the culture”.
Tyson Thrall continues his campaign for Kansas House District 102 with an emphasis on constitutional principles, faith-based community initiatives, and cooperation across differing viewpoints.
Listen to the full interview on our Podcasts Page.
