When did you move to Kansas?

Uh, 2013, though I've watched Kansas for a very long time, actually.

Patrick Miller teaches political science at the University of Kansas.

So long time observer and actually never thought I would end up here, but I did.

And he came here because he was interested in political parties.

What makes a Democrat a Democrat or a Republican or a Republican?

Turns out Kansas was kind of a great place to do this work.

Um, you know, I would say that when I came here, I already had a background in the politics

of the state.

And it was very interesting to actually see it close up.

It's a small state.

So just by virtue of being a political scientist who tweets, I end up like having conversations

with or coffees with actual elected officials, you want to talk and, you know, from all over

the political spectrum, you just want to talk politics.

For years, Republicans ruled this state.

They had a trifecta, control of both legislative bodies and a Republican governor.

Over those coffees, Patrick would hear stories about how party control was gradually getting

more rigid, squeezing out moderate voices.

Well, one of the moderate Republicans who, I don't want to speak for them, they're all

women.

I mean, but she'll tell you about, you know, going into party events, whether it's local

party or, you know, walking into a caucus meeting in the legislature of your colleagues

...