Manhattan Mayor Pro Tem Usha Reddi is apparently hiring staff in preparation for a bid for the U.S. Senate.
A posting on the Google Groups website “JobsthatareLEFT” indicated that Reddi was looking to hire a deputy finance director for a possible Senate campaign. The job was posted by Danielle Lilly, a consultant for the Washington D.C. firm, Bold Blue Campaigns.
The ad says it’s looking to fill the position for a “Plains State US Senate Campaign.” It directs inquiries to info@reddiforsenate.com.
The staffer “will have the opportunity to work closely with the candidate while managing multiple teams and projects as time and abilities allow,” the job posting says.
“Looking for a resource that feels comfortable coordinating directly coordinating with donors and key supporters.”
The ad says experience working “on a federal or statewide campaign will be considered a plus but is not necessary.”
“At least one election cycle experience required with experience working in a Plains state race. Must have reliable transportation and be available Sept. 1,” the ad states.
The Sunflower State Journal attempted to reach Reddi to confirm the post on Wednesday. A spokeswoman from Bold Blue Campaigns responded.
“Thank you so much for reaching out to Usha today. At this time, we are not in a position to share any information,” Ashley Motley said in an email.
“JobsthatareLeft” was started in 2002 as a way to help unemployed campaign staffers seek left-leaning political jobs.
“This group has grown to be one of the most useful resources in the progressive community,” the website says.
“Now maintained by Democratic GAIN, JobsthatareLEFT has shared over 20,000 positions with its member roll of 25,000—and growing every day.”
Several Democratic strategists said they take the site seriously, adding they know many friends who are part of the group, have posted jobs on the site or gained employment via the group.
However, some cautioned that a job posted on the site doesn’t necessarily guarantee that a campaign is imminent or will even happen.
Some said a candidate sometimes will post for jobs on the site and then have a change of heart.
Reddi could face a primary election that at the very least would include former U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom and former Congresswoman Nancy Boyda. Democratic state Sen. Barbara Bollier also is considering a run for the Senate.
Reddi revealed for the first time last month that she was considering a run for the U.S. Senate.
Reddi signaled that she was considering a Senate run after disclosing during a radio interview on KMAN that she had been sexually assaulted by her father during her childhood.
On July 19 in Virginia, her father pleaded guilty to raping her. It was the first time Reddi had discussed the assault publicly.
Reddi was first elected to the Manhattan City Commission for a four-year term in April 2013 and re-elected in 2017. She’s lived in Manhattan for more than 25 years.
Reddi has a bachelor’s degree in developmental psychology from Ohio State University, a bachelor’s in elementary education and a master’s in educational Leadership from Kansas State University.
She’s taught first grade for more than 10 years and is currently a math teacher in the Manhattan-Ogden School District.
However in June, Reddi took a leave of absence from her teaching position for the 2019-20 school year.
She’s been traveling the state as she contemplates a run. She’s visited Lawrence and Wichita. She’s also traveled to Butler, Reno and Wyandotte counties as well.
Early this month, she met with a group of between 75 and 100 Democrats in Johnson County where she discussed the Senate race.
After that meeting, Reddi said she hoped to make a decision by the end of the month, which would about dovetail with the Sept. 1 date that the new deputy finance director would start.
