FLIPPABLE: Rui Xu for KS-HD25
Running to Serve Kansas
Rui Xu (pronounced Ree Shoe) is running for state representative of the 25th House District in Kansas because he believes that a strong, open, and trustworthy government can be a catalyst for growth for all of us, not just the richest among us. By rejecting the political cynicism that’s been festering in our system for years, we can have better schools, more jobs, and a greater quality of life for everyone.
Background
Rui was born in Switzerland in 1989 to Chinese graduate students pursuing their PhDs before moving to the United States when he was two years old. He spent his childhood in the town of Rolla, Missouri, where he became a naturalized US citizen at the age of 12. Other than marrying his high school sweetheart years later, it would be the easiest decision of his life.
After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in economics, he got married and moved to Kansas City to pursue a career in sports analytics. He was a performance analyst with Sporting Kansas City for over 3 years, culminating in a MLS Championship in 2013. He then decided to change careers into another quantitative field and became a marketing analyst with MMGY Global, a travel and hospitality marketing agency on the Plaza.
Becoming Active
The 2016 election motivated Rui to take an active role in a field that allows him to directly help those in need, and he became a marketing operations analyst at Children International, the area’s largest non-profit, which supports over 200,000 children around the world. He also volunteers his time on the Literacy KC marketing board, helping low-literacy adults in the area improve their reading skills.
Ultimately, this journey led Rui to run for state representative, because he could not sit around while the things he loved most about this country continually came under attack. As a proud naturalized immigrant, he knows how xenophobic and regressive policies can hold our country back. He vows to ensure that compassion, acceptance, and empathy will win out.
https://www.ruixuforkansas.com