Mayor Curt Skoog to visit Kansas communities for US@250 events

Mayor Curt Skoog will travel across Kansas on July 2 and July 4, 2026, to spotlight voting rights and civic participation as part of his campaign’s THRIVE Agenda. The schedule includes forums in Bouge, Scott City and Goodland, plus appearances in Topeka, Wamego and Overland Park for Independence Day events tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Why it matters: - Skoog is using the July 4, 2026, US@250 moment to argue that voting access and civic participation are central to Kansas’ future. - The tour is aimed at communities he described as too often left out of state political debates. - The trip also doubles as a campaign message for his THRIVE Agenda, specifically the “V” for Voice and Vote.

What happened: - Mayor Curt Skoog will meet voters on July 2 in Bouge, Scott City and Goodland, Kansas. - Skoog will appear in his hometown of Topeka for the Potwin July 4 parade. - He will also attend Celebrate Freedom Wamego in the late afternoon and launch the Star Spangled Spectacular in Overland Park. - The announcement included an essay by Skoog that media outlets were invited to quote or publish as part of US@250 coverage.

The details: - On July 2, Skoog’s schedule includes a 10:30 a.m. candidate forum at Bouge United Methodist Church, 902 Hummingbird Rd, Bouge. - A 2:00 p.m. candidate forum is set for the Scott City Record at 406 Main Street, Scott City. - A 7:15 p.m. candidate forum is scheduled at the Goodland Senior Center, 208 W 15th Street, Goodland. - On July 4, the Potwin Parade begins at 10:00 a.m. on Greenwood Ave. in Topeka. - Skoog said he grew up in Potwin and attended Topeka High. - Celebrate Freedom runs from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Wamego. - The Star Spangled Spectacular runs from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Corporate Woods in Overland Park. - Skoog will launch a 25-minute pyrotechnic show at 10:15 p.m.

Between the lines: - Skoog’s essay frames voting rights as the defining political issue of the moment and ties that argument to the 250th anniversary of independence. - The message also places his campaign in direct contrast with Kansas legislative leaders, whom he criticized for limiting debate and restricting voting access. - The essay links state-level contests to the health of democracy more broadly, especially after the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on Congress. - The piece blends personal biography, family history and policy critique to present Skoog and Lt. Gov. running mate Dr. Jennifer Bacani McKenney as proof that Kansas welcomes both multigenerational families and newer arrivals. - Skoog argued that a governor should focus on property taxes, school funding, Medicaid expansion to support rural hospitals and a stable business climate, while also protecting the vote.

What's next: - Skoog’s US@250 appearances will continue on July 4 across Topeka, Wamego and Overland Park. - The campaign is signaling that voting access and participation will remain a core theme heading into the election. - Skoog closed by urging Kansans to vote in every election, regardless of party preference.

The bottom line: - Skoog is using Independence Day and Kansas’ 250-year America milestone to make voting rights a central campaign issue and to connect that message to a statewide tour.