📚 Summer school. Derek Schmidt holds 3 of seven stars — but fails a critical Article (Open Books). Assignment: summer school for Civics, watch every Schoolhouse Rock episode five times, and submit a one-page report — due before the end of the year. Report to summer school →
“…the property of the people.” — Cicero, De Re Publica
34.7% of receipts from PACs — over the 15% cap; fails the money floor. (FEC 2026)
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
82%★ earned
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
No 2020 election denial, no fake-elector role, and no documented support for partisan gerrymandering. (Jan 6 roll call; OpenSecrets; redistricting record)
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
62%★ earned
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Limited congressional record; no documented dehumanizing rhetoric, though 2022 governor race was sharply partisan.
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
58%☆ not yet
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
Campaign leaned on standard partisan threat framing; limited affirmative-agenda record as a freshman.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
48%☆ not yet
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
As KS Attorney General joined Texas v. Pennsylvania to overturn 2020 results; Wichita Eagle called it baseless.
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
42%☆ not yet
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Establishment-aligned conservative; no documented breaks with his party at personal cost.
60
7Morality
75%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No documented personal corruption or scandal; default character score applies.
60
Engage Schmidt
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This review is offered freely and openly to correction. A challenge is considered only when it states a specific reason and links to sources that substantiate it — an assertion without evidence is not reviewed.
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Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Open Books or Free & Fair Elections and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →