The following is a presentation of FCB Faith. This is Keeping America First with Bishop John T. Coates and Reverend Jeff Jemison on FCB Faith. Happy to be here in this awesome election season. People are out voting already with early voting taking place. Today we have a dynamite guest. none other than Kelly Hunter Galagides, and she is running in Ohio's District 8 for State Representative, Ohio's District 8. Kelly, how are you today? I'm great. How are you? Doing great. What inspires you to run for the state, this state rep seat in District 8? And what experience do you bring to this office? So it's not that I was inspired, but I tell people you have to watch what you pray for and what you promise to God. And I've been praying that the Lord open a door for me, you know, starting in January. And I want to say March or April. I literally changed my prayer and I was like, Lord, doors are opening, but, you know, nothing's happening. And then I said, you know what? Whatever door you open, I promise I'll walk through it. And then a week later, I got a phone call, and I met with the gentleman, and he wanted me to, you know, run for a central committee here in Columbus. And I said, sure, you know, I can do that. That's volunteer work, you know, four times a year. And I said, sure. So I had asked him who was running on the Republican ticket, and he looked and he said, no one. Why don't you do it? And I kind of looked at him, and I'm like, I don't know. I'm not a politician. I said, I really have to pray about this. I said, this is, you know, nothing I was expecting. So all the way home, and he says to me, I met him on a Tuesday, and he says, well, you have until Monday. I'm like, oh, okay. So all the way home, I was like, Lord, this is not who I am. This is not me. You know, I'll walk through any other door for you, but I just really– this is just not me. And all I heard in my spirit, he says, no, no, you made me the promise. You said, whatever door I open, you'll walk through it. And this is a door I'm opening. And so, you know, we kind of had our little conversation going back and forth. This is just not me. So I didn't sleep that night because all I heard is you made me a promise. And so I was like, okay, Lord, I did make you a promise. And so if this is of you, I'll walk through it. And I did. And I called the gentleman the next day and I said, this is what I'll, you know, fine, you know, I'll do it. I'm not sure why because I'm, you know, I've helped people go door to door, but I've not ever run for myself. So the Lord and I had another discussion because I didn't know this. And I said, okay, Lord, you have to show me if this is really you. And I don't want any money coming out of my pocket. He said, okay. So the gentleman and I were, you know, trying to meet and I said, listen, I'll just go down and file whatever paperwork and someone will guide me. And he's like, Kelly, it's $ 80. And I'm like, Oh, he's like, well, I plan on paying that. And in my spirit, he said, see, nobody out of your pocket. That's awesome. Strong commitment to run. That's awesome. Yes. Yes. So, It just, you know, I just kept asking, you know what, Lord, this is, you got to really show me. And I think we all go through that when we're in the flesh. We really do. We keep saying, okay, Lord, I'm not sure. So I was going door to door for the primaries. I needed 50 write-in votes. And I'm like, Lord, I don't have the money to mail out anything. You know, that's expensive. Okay, God, you show me if this is really, really you have something coming to mail because that costs money and I don't have the money. And literally a few days later, I go to my mailbox and I pull out my mail and I see my name. And I'm like, oh, wait a minute. That's me. I'm like, wow. Okay, God, I won't ask anymore. Okay. Kelly, one thing for sure, we have enough politicians, so it's good to have someone entering into a political seat with no political experience, no debts to pay, but bringing a fresh perspective. So what are some of the issues that you want to address? I think our biggest issue, and I have 21 and a half years of education, between the urban district. I did sub in the suburbs. I've also did a year in charter schools, seven years at the college level supervising future teachers. And I think I really feel in my heart of heart we need to get back to the basics in education. We do need to support our teachers. And I have a lot of people say, you know, that's all great and done, but how do you plan on doing that? I think right now, you know, when I get in... I have to look at what do we need to change. What is in there that we need to change? I think we need to change what they call core and what teachers are teaching, if that makes sense. I agree. Anything that has to do with an agenda that's not of God, to be honest with you. When I taught... We didn't have the issues that these poor kids are having today. I don't think we need to be testing our kids the way we do constantly. These children take like a week off of regular education to take a test. Now all the tests are on the computers, and I think we need to get away from that. I feel in my heart we need to go back to paper and pencil because our children don't know how to write. You know, in some school districts, they're bringing the back cursive. And in a lot of the school districts, they're not. And I just feel we need to get back to the basics. I agree. I agree. How do you plan to stay connected with folks that that vote for you? And, you know, I know that you're out going door to door, knocking on doors, meeting people, talking with people. How do you plan to stay connected with residents? So that's funny you said that. I had a gentleman the other day ask me the same thing. And I said, you know what? I do go down to the Worthington Market. I would love for people in my districts in each area and the precincts to have, like, coffee with your candidate. If it's once a month, you know, let's hear what you have to say. Let's hear what you feel are not changing. And I would love to do that, is have once a month coffee with the candidate. I agree. And be it in the... in the precincts. So me, I don't forget where I came from and I don't forget who voted for me because they're the ones that I'm fighting for. Kelly, please keep that position because it seems like sometimes when people get elected, they forget, you know, they change. They become a totally different person. They forget where they came from. Like you said, you will not do. So that's good to hear. Keep that fresh perspective. Kelly, make the case. Why should you be elected? Why should the voters elect you? And District 8. So here's what I'm hoping. I want you to elect me because you have the faith that I'm going to do what my God wants me to do. And that's the most important thing. He's brought me this far to represent the people. And he's going to take us through the rest. And I truly wish and I truly believe in my heart when you call the office with an issue, I will return your phone call. And when I used to teach, I would go to students' homes. I would be happy to come to your house. I don't have a problem with that. And I feel sometimes when the constituents elect us, they forget that they should stay in touch with us. And I would love to, not knowing the budget I would have, send out a newsletter to my constituents, reminding them that I am here for you. And that's why you should vote for me because I truly want to stay in touch with the constituents in District 8. Kelly, thank you for being a guest on Keeping America First. How can people get involved with your campaign or find out more about you or reach you? So I do have a Facebook page. I don't have a website because that costs money. And I've raised my own money. So my email is kelly4ohio at gmail.com. You can reach me through there or my Facebook page, which is Hunter Caligides for Ohio. Okay. Hunter Caligides. Could you spell that? K-A-L as in Larry, A-G as in George, I-B as in David, I-S as in Sam. Thank you. Number four. Thank you so much. Thank you so much, Kelly. Kelly, remember that when you go to the polls. if you're in Franklin County, is it only Franklin County? Yes, sir. I'm only in Franklin County and District 8. District 8 in Ohio. Thank you so much, Kelly Hunter Galagides. God bless you. Thank you for being our guest. And we wish you the most success this November's election. And to our audience, thank you again. Please do remember to vote and stay active in your communities, in your counties, in your state, in your country. Keep making this place a better place for us all. God bless you all. Thank you.
