U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., visited Monday with area residents during a Franklin County Republican Central Committee meeting in downtown Ottawa. 

More than 30 people attended the event, which was intended to facilitate discussion, answer questions and spur enthusiasm before the general election, organizers said.

U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., visited Monday with area residents during a Franklin County Republican Central Committee meeting in downtown Ottawa. 

More than 30 people attended the event, which was intended to facilitate discussion, answer questions and spur enthusiasm before the general election, organizers said.

Helen Hood, Ottawa, said Jenkins’ visit to the city was one of many occasions in which she chatted with the congresswoman, but that didn’t detract from her excitement in attending the event. 

“I think it’s awesome,” Hood said of Jenkins’ visit to Ottawa. “We love Lynn Jenkins. ... She’s so personable and so honest. We really do appreciate Lynn a lot.” 

While speaking at the event, Jenkins shared with attendees her recent experiences in Washington, her legislative priorities and why she initially opted to run for congress in 2008. 

“I ran for office for Congress a couple years ago because I was just frustrated,” Jenkins said. “When Republicans had unfettered power the last time in Washington, they blew it. They spent too much money and didn’t balance the budget and that upset me.”

After explaining why she sought out her House seat, Jenkins urged area residents to vote on election day Nov. 6. The Congresswoman added that the United States now is facing one of the most significant elections in its history.

“We are at a crossroads right now,” Jenkins said. “We can continue down this road of higher taxes, higher spending, higher debt, higher unemployment or we could stop it here and turn the thing around and put us all on a path to prosperity. ... I challenge you in the days ahead to dig deep and help us all get across the finish line. This election cycle, in my view, is the most  important election cycle in my life time and I’m sure it probably is for all of you, too.”

Jenkins’ words seemed to resonate well with those attending the event, including Jim Venhuizen, Ottawa. Although he’s not a member of the area Republican committee, Venhuizen said Jenkins’ expressed many of his concerns about issues now facing the nation.

“[Jenkins’ speech] pretty much goes along with what I think,” Venhuizen said. “[National] defense and the debt — those are the things that we need to get under control. ... We need less restrictions, especially in energy. I’m all for green energy, but we need to do with what we have and what works, so I’d like to see some of that stuff loosened up a little.”

In addition to encouraging attendees to support her in November’s election — where she faces Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Democrat and minister in Topeka — Jenkins said she planned to go door-to-door to visit with Ottawa residents.