ABOUT LORI
Lori Blake, a candidate for the 69th district of the Kansas House of Representatives
Using her voice to lift yours
I am a Central Kansas leader seeking solutions to leave places better than I found them. As a wife and mother of three, I am always trying to find balance between home and work. My career has allowed me opportunities as an advocate for human rights and universal access to quality education throughout a child’s life. In order to run for public office, I recently left my position as Executive Director of Child Advocacy and Parenting Services (CAPS). Over the last 9 years, I grew our team of 34 professionals to meet CAPS’ mission to improve children’s lives and strengthen families through education, advocacy and support. CAPS’ six child abuse prevention and two intervention programs served just under 10,000 unique individuals annually.
During this time, I worked with state government as a grantee from the KS Children’s Cabinet, KS Department of Corrections – Juvenile Services, Department for Children and Families, KS Governor’s Grants Office and the KS Office of the Attorney General’s Victim’s Services to fund this critical work in Saline, Dickinson and Ottawa Counties. Prior to that, I worked for 11 years in a Medicaid funded disability supports agency with the KS Department for Aging and Disability Supports at Choices Network and for 4 years as the Volunteers & Partners Coordinator for Salina Public Schools.
My husband, Keith, and I own Assaria Oil/Hardware which delivers fuel to regional agriculture producers, provides tire and automotive repair and serves as the only retail storefront in our rural community. Through this business, we work with the KS Department of Revenue, Health & Environment and Transportation and federally with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
As a parent, community leader and business owner, I am honored to have served USD 306 on the Board of Education for 13 years and the Board of Directors for Kansas Association of School Boards for 8 years, culminating in a term as President. After completing this civic service, I now consult KASB Leadership Services team to train school board members across the state. I am a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church and serve as the treasurer, sing in the choir and coordinate the mission team to Mexico each year.
Because of all these roles, I bring a unique perspective about state government’s plays in our daily lives and have grave concerns about the attacks on our public educators, the loss of control from locally elected school, city and county officials, the lack of universal access to medical care and the declining value of the dollar for our hard-working families. This is why I am running for the 69th seat of the KS House of Representatives.
I enjoy problem solving with creativity, transparency and persistence to unify voices and achieve answers through the group mind. We are better for our diverse experiences and perspectives. I look forward to connecting and lifting your needs in Topeka.