This isn’t Travis Hitt’s first campaign for the Emporia City Commission. In fact, his very first run came in the early 2000s, with additional campaigns in 2021 and 2023, where he was unsuccessful but saw moderate success.

What keeps Hitt running is something simple: He feels unrepresented.

Hitt described those running Emporia as “affluent” and only belonging to the Northwest area of the city.

“I really think that many of our commissioners have never walked a sidewalk in Southeast Emporia or any of our legacy neighborhoods,” he said.

In contrast to Hitt’s description of current leadership, he lives downtown right next to 10 West Dive Bar & Grill, which he owns. In addition to running 10 West, Hitt also serves on the Building Trades Board and has worked as a licensed contractor with the

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