Emporia native and current long-time resident of Olpe, Kan., Chuck Torres has filed to run as Democratic candidate for Kansas House of Representatives 76th District.
Chuck Torres, candidate for Kansas 76th District.
Following a 45-year career in nursing service, first as a nursing assistant and later becoming a registered nurse, Torres hopes to continue his service to the citizens in the 76th district as a public servant in the state legislature. He believes balance is important in the legislative process and current partisan gridlock is damaging our state. Rural communities’ needs are being ignored by current legislative leadership. It’s time for the people of the 76th district to have a new choice in representation who will stand up for the needs of the 76th district.
Torres’ goal is to serve the citizens and needs of the 76th district. Schools are the heart and soul of each community throughout the district. Torres will fight to maintain full education funding for our schools and ensure that smaller rural districts can continue to provide robust educational offerings. He supports expanding Medicaid, which would provide affordable health insurance, stimulate the Kansas economy by injecting billions of dollars, create thousands of new jobs and retain health care jobs and hospitals in the 76th district. Torres will support family farmers and ranchers whose needs are being overshadowed by corporate farming interests. Torres will be a voice in the legislature for the family farmers and ranchers throughout the district. Rural population decline will also be a top priority. Economic development and strategies to retain our young people must be addressed. Torres will work with local leaders to expand job opportunities to our communities.
Torres, the son of Ernesto and Jeannine Torres, and one of seven siblings, was born and raised in Emporia. He attended St. Catherine’s and Sacred Heart grade schools, Lowther Jr. High, and Emporia High School, graduating in 1975. He attended Emporia State University, Newman Hospital School of Nursing, and Pittsburg State University. He graduated from Pittsburg State with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree in 1979. He has worked at Newman Regional Health, Mt. Carmel Medical Center in Pittsburg, Kan., Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Johnson County, Kan., for more than 20 years, Mid-America Cardiology at St. Luke’s and KU Med, Tyson Fresh Meats/Employee Health, Flinthills Community Health Center clinic manager, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Employee Health-Topeka, Angels Home Health Care, and At Home Health Care. He was also a bus driver for the Emporia School district for one year.
Torres is married to Lori Torres, also a registered nurse. They have resided in Olpe for 20 years. They celebrate 42 years of marriage and have three children, Matthew Torres, Lawrence, Kan., Melissa Tastove of Cottonwood Falls, Kan., and Emily Torres, Emporia. Chuck and Lori also have two grandchildren, Jack and Noah Tastove.
The newly drawn 76th district comprises all of Coffey County and parts of Lyon and Osage counties. Cities in the district include Allen, Burlington, Bushong, southeast portion Emporia, Gridley, Hartford, Lebo, LeRoy, Lyndon, Melvern, Neosho Rapids, New Strawn, Olivet, Olpe, Osage City, Quenemo, Reading, Vassar, and Waverly.
For more information, contact Torres at torres4kansas@gmail.com.
Ed. note: Unpaid candidate profile; contact news@osagecountyonline.com for more information.
