Dr. City Manager

 

Trump's past rhetoric gives ammunition for holding any candidate accountable to results, outsider energy, and winning — regardless of who gets the endorsement. Kansas voters can weigh records, platforms, and that "drain the swamp" standard directly.

Trump's 2015-2016 Outsider Message was a core theme of his campaign. He repeatedly positioned himself as a successful businessman and non-politician who would "drain the swamp" and fix Washington from the outside, contrasting himself with career politicians and the establishment.

Key Quotes and Moments

• June 16, 2015 Announcement Speech (Trump Tower): Trump declared his candidacy and hammered on the need for an outsider. He said things like the system was rigged by insiders and that "we will never fix Washington from the inside unless we send someone to Washington from the outside." He emphasized his business success as proof he could get things done where politicians had failed. Full video is widely available on C-SPAN and YouTube.

• Liberty University Commencement Address (May 13, 2017) — though slightly after the initial campaign, this crystallized the theme he pushed in 2015-2016:

  “Treat the word ‘impossible’ as nothing more than motivation. Relish the opportunity to be an outsider. Embrace that label — being an outsider is fine, embrace the label — because it’s the outsiders who change the world and who make a real and lasting difference.”

  Video clips of this speech are easy to find online, where Trump directly encourages embracing outsider status against critics and the broken system.

Trump's broader 2015-2016 rhetoric framed the election as a battle against the "Washington ruling class," "career diplomats," "pinstriped bureaucrats," and establishment insiders who put America last. Supporters cited his outsider status and business experience as top reasons for backing him (per Gallup polling at the time).

This anti-establishment populism was central to his appeal: he wasn't beholden to lobbyists, had self-funded much of his early campaign, and promised bold action that career politicians wouldn't deliver.

On Tim (Ty) Masterson

Ty Masterson (often referred to as Tim in casual talk) is the longtime Kansas Senate President (since 2021) and a state legislator since 2005 (House 2005-2008, Senate since 2009). He's a career politician with over 20 years in elected office, including time on the Andover City Council. He's a realtor and small business owner by background.

President Trump endorsed him on May 24, 2026, for the Republican primary for Kansas Governor, calling him a "fantastic candidate" who "will never let you down" and praising him alongside Sen. Roger Marshall. Masterson has leaned into the endorsement, highlighting alignment on taxes, energy, borders, etc.

Your point on the contrast: You're tracking the tension between Trump's historical "outsider vs. establishment" pitch and endorsing a long-serving legislative leader in a state race. Sarnecki's campaign explicitly runs on being the true political outsider/businessman in this race — self-funding heavily, criticizing career politicians for Kansas's losses to Laura Kelly despite Trump's strong wins here, and promising business-style results on taxes, economy, etc.

Voters in the August 4, 2026 Kansas GOP primary have a choice: Masterson (establishment insider with Trump backing) or alternatives like Sarnecki (self-described outsider/business success story). It's a classic primary dynamic where endorsements can clash with the original outsider ethos that propelled Trump. Many supporters feel the same frustration you do when long-time politicians get the nod over fresh blood.

Trump's past rhetoric gives ammunition for holding any candidate accountable to results, outsider energy, and winning — regardless of who gets the endorsement. Kansas voters can weigh records, platforms, and that "drain the swamp" standard directly. 

Tim Gibbons --- You're Invited! Please join us for a special Meet & Greet with Tim Gibbons

 You're Invited!

Please join us for a special Meet & Greet with Tim Gibbons

Come say hello, enjoy great conversation, and connect with Tim in a relaxed setting.

Date: Monday, June 1, 2026 Time: 5:30 PM – to whenever

Location: The Cyrus Hotel 920 South Kansas Avenue Topeka, KS 66612

Whether you’ve known Tim for years or are just meeting him for the first time, this is a wonderful opportunity to chat and spend time together. Light refreshments will be served.

We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP or just show up 

Updated Profile on Tim Gibbons

Timothy "Tim" Gibbons, a Topeka, Kansas native (Topeka West High School connections), had a long and successful career as a commercial real estate leasing executive, most notably with Macerich Company (often stylized as MaceRich in earlier references). He specialized in regional mall and shopping center leasing, working on tenant mix strategies, major retailer deals, and property revitalization across markets like California and Arizona.

His tenure at Macerich spanned decades (roughly mid-1980s into the 2010s), during which he served as Vice President of Leasing. He was involved in deals for properties such as Huntington Beach Mall (early 1990s) and later Phoenix-area centers like Arrowhead Towne Center. He helped navigate the evolving retail landscape, including post-recession recovery and the shift toward experiential retail.

Retirement and Current Life

Per your update, Tim has retired from Macerich and relocated to North Carolina. This marks the end of his active executive role in mall leasing after a notable career in the REIT sector. Public profiles (e.g., LinkedIn) had previously listed him in the Phoenix, AZ area, which aligns with Macerich’s strong Western portfolio, but your info indicates a post-retirement move east.

No high-profile public announcements about his retirement appear in recent news, which is common for senior leasing VPs who operate behind the scenes rather than as C-suite figures. He maintains ties to his Topeka roots, as evidenced by local conversations and references (including your own mentions of speaking with him about real estate and his “Topeka Boy” background).

Suggested News Article / Update Piece

Here’s a polished, ready-to-adapt draft in news/feature style:

Topeka Native Tim Gibbons Retires from Macerich, Settles in North Carolina

Topeka, KS — Tim Gibbons, a hometown success story in commercial real estate, has retired after a distinguished career with Macerich Company, one of the nation’s leading owners and operators of regional shopping centers.

A Topeka native with deep local connections, Gibbons rose through the ranks at Macerich (formerly often referred to as MaceRich), serving as Vice President of Leasing. Over decades, he played a key role in leasing strategies for malls and retail properties, securing major tenants and adapting centers to changing consumer demands—from the 1990s California market to Phoenix-area developments in later years.

Friends and colleagues describe Gibbons as a knowledgeable industry veteran with a strong work ethic rooted in his Kansas upbringing. Local real estate voices, including Topeka connections, have recalled conversations highlighting his insights into the sector’s evolution amid e-commerce pressures and the need for vibrant, experience-driven retail spaces.

Now retired, Gibbons has made the move to North Carolina, where he is enjoying the next chapter of life. While he steps away from day-to-day leasing responsibilities, his contributions to Macerich’s portfolio and the broader retail real estate industry leave a lasting mark.

For a more personal angle: Include quotes from you or mutual contacts about his career reflections, favorite deals, or advice for today’s market.

Additional Notes for Your Deep Dive

• Challenges in the Sector: Macerich faced headwinds common to mall REITs (department store closures, online shopping shifts, pandemic effects). Gibbons’ work likely involved repositioning assets during these times.
• Sources: Primarily professional directories, historical press on Macerich deals, and local Topeka references. Retirement/move details come directly from you.
• Next Steps: If you have contact info or want to reach out for a direct quote/interview, that would add great color. Public records searches for NC could yield more (property, voter, etc.), but privacy limits what’s openly available.

Would you like me to expand this into a longer article, suggest interview questions, research specific Macerich properties he worked on, or help with anything else (photos, related industry context, etc.)? Just let me know how to build on this!

Phillip say over the last 10 years spending has gone up by $10Billion (Ty is not my guy)

 Yes, the claim is accurate for the state's total (all-funds) budget.

Kansas's total state spending (all funds, including state general fund, federal funds, and other sources) has grown by roughly $10 billion over the last ~7 years:

• Around FY 2018: All-funds spending was approximately $15.9–16.9 billion (actuals and budgets in that range).
• By FY 2025: All-funds spending reached ~$25–27 billion (e.g., enacted budgets around $25.1–25.4 billion, with some reports near $27 billion including projections).

This represents an increase of about $9–11 billion, or roughly 60–65% growth in total spending.

Key Details

• General Fund (SGF) portion (core state revenues, excluding much federal money): Grew from ~$6.6–7 billion in FY 2018 to ~$10.4–10.9 billion in FY 2025 — an increase of ~$3.5–4 billion.
• The larger jump comes in all-funds totals, driven by federal funds, special revenue, and post-COVID expansions in areas like education, human services, and public safety.

Kansas Policy Institute and other analyses note that General Fund spending alone rose ~64% from FY 2018 to FY 2025 (vs. ~27% inflation), with actual FY 2025 spending at ~$10.9 billion instead of an inflation-adjusted ~$8.4 billion.

Context

• Kansas population has been relatively flat, so this is mostly per-capita growth.
• Spending accelerated during/after COVID with federal aid and policy choices (e.g., education funding, human services). Recent budgets under Gov. Laura Kelly and the Legislature have continued year-over-year increases in most categories, though some FY 2026 proposals trimmed slightly.
• This has led to concerns about structural deficits ahead (projected shortfalls by FY 2028–2029 despite rainy-day funds), even with tax cuts.

The "10 billion" figure commonly circulated (e.g., in political posts) refers to the total all-funds budget, which did rise by that amount. Official sources like the Kansas Division of Budget, legislative reports, and nonpartisan trackers confirm the scale.

For the most precise numbers, check the Kansas Division of Budget’s Governor’s Budget Reports or Kansas OpenGov databank.

You have my vote

Vote for the outsider, just like Trump told us to do so in 2015.  

---

From: Philip Sarnecki <team@sarneckiforgov.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 2:42 PM
To: mcre13@gmail.com <mcre13@gmail.com>
Subject: Welcome to the Team!

 

County Captains: Welcome to the Team!   Congratulations and thank you for joining this movement!    By joining the team, you have become a critical part of our mission.  The Mission: To WIN in Kansas.    Every door knocked, phone call made, sign placed, and social media post sent brings us closer to victory. Every person reached is another vote on Election Day.    Because of you: More Kansans will hear our message More communities will be reached  More voters will turn out on Election Day   What This Campaign Is About   To WIN again in Kansas. The days of Republicans losing to Democrats are over To create good-paying jobs in Kansas for working families To lower property taxes and income taxes for working families To save our education system for our children To eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in our government    What You Can Expect:    Mission Monday: Every Monday I will send you an email with a mission for that day. It may seem small at first, but with hundreds of County Captains across the state accomplishing the mission, we will reach every corner of Kansas.    I’m so grateful and proud to have you on the team. We are going to win, together.    Let’s get to work. — Philip Sarnecki   Candidate for Governor of Kansas I’m Philip Sarnecki, and I'm running for governor. I’m not a career politician—I’m a Kansas dad, husband, and businessman who is tired of Republicans losing in Kansas.   Here’s what I believe: Taxes should be low, property affordable, and opportunity within reach. Families—not bureaucrats—should guide our kids’ education. Faith, family, and freedom must come first. Kansas should lead—not lose.   I can’t be bought. I won’t play by the old political rules. And I refuse to keep losing while Democrats rewrite the future of our state. Paid for by Philip Sarnecki for Governor; Julia Samaniego, Treasurer Privacy Policy   Unsubscribe