From Army Colonel to Kansas advocate
Richard Paz served three decades as a U.S. Army Medical Service Corps officer, retiring as a Colonel. Born in Tacoma, Washington, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the University of Washington, a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University, and a Master of Military Art and Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies at Fort Leavenworth.
Richard, his wife, and their son have made Kansas home for the past 23 years.
During his military career, Richard helped plan and carry out major Army health care reforms. He deployed to Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War, and to Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. After the 2007 Walter Reed crisis, he served on the Army team that rebuilt care for wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers and their Families. After the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, he led planning for a behavioral health campaign plan that became a model for the Army. Richard also served as a medical advisor to the Afghan National Army and taught critical thinking to Army civilians and officers at Fort Leavenworth. His final assignment was Chief, Medical Plans and Operations, U.S. Army Pacific, at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. He brings the same discipline, strategic thinking, and commitment to service to his campaign for Kansas House District 38.
Why Richard is running
Richard is running because Kansas families deserve a representative who works for them, not for party politics or special interests. He believes state government should help communities solve problems and build opportunity, and that living in Kansas should be affordable and safe.
Homeowners deserve real property tax relief, families deserve affordable health care, students deserve strong public schools, and communities deserve a real voice in the decisions that shape their future.
Richard’s values
- Service: Putting people before politics.
- Accountability: Transparent government that works for taxpayers.
- Opportunity: Building pathways for every Kansas family to thrive and every business to succeed.
- Community: Protecting the places District 38 families call home.