Sydney Carlin announced Tuesday that she will run for State Rep 66th District.

Saying that the upcoming election provides Manhattan an opportunity to send new leadership to the state legislature, Sydney Carlin, Democrat said that she would be a candidate for representative of the 66th District. The 66th District covers most precincts east of College Avenue in Manhattan.

"I know it will be a hard job going into work everyday and facing the tough decisions necessary to stretch the paper-thin revenues over the holes in the budget. But, I expected this when our surplus was squandered and our debts were not paid. Kansas government has failed in its obligation toward its citizens and has been losing touch with people. We need to pay more attention to our veterans. We must look carefully at how a particular cut in senior or children’s programs will actually affect someone. I am committed to fight for expanded prescription drug coverage for our seniors and to keep a watchful eye out for waste in our state government."

"We must protect public education at all levels, and the revenues dedicated to city and county governments. I will look for ways to get the most out of current federal and state allocations and work to strengthen the tax base that supports Kansas. I believe I can contribute to improving the quality of life through better management of state resources," Carlin said.

Carlin said that she is ready to take on this new challenge. "I have always enjoyed public service and am looking forward to going door-to-door and meeting with the people of the 66th District to hear what they want from their representative. I will work to bring their interests to the Kansas Legislature."

Mrs. Carlin was elected to the City Commission (1993-1997) and Mayor of Manhattan. As a commissioner she served on the Riley County Health Board, the Riley County Law Enforcement Board, the Manhattan Public Library Board and the Senior Center Advisory Board. During her tenure she was actively involved with Ft. Riley and the Kansas National Guard. She attended the National Training Center. Following her term as Mayor she was appointed by Governor Graves to the Kansas Board of Indigent’s Defense Services. She serves on the Military Affairs Committee, and Kansans for a Strong Fort Riley. Other activities include Martin Luther King Week Committee, the Konza Prairie Quilt Guild, the American Association of University Women, Habitat for Humanity, and Seven Dolors Church where she serves as a lector and an Eucharistic minister. She is a strong advocate for the Boys and Girls Club of Manhattan and the KSU Women’s Rowing Team, and the Manhattan Arts Center. "This year I designed, managed, and did finish work on the major renovation of our home, chaired the 2002 Mercy Hospital Auxiliary annual meeting and fashion show, and continued working on my Master’s Degree at Kansas State."

Sydney and her husband John are former business owners and understand meeting payrolls and trimming costs. The family has been actively involved in Manhattan for thirty years.