Summary

Current Position: Governor since 2019
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position: State Senator for Kansas 18th District from 2005 – 2019

On January 14, 2019, Laura Kelly was sworn in as the 48th governor of the State of Kansas. She has made it her life’s mission to fight for Kansas children and families on the job, in her community, as a four-term state senator, and as governor.

Laura Kelly has prioritized fully funding public schools, expanding affordable healthcare, reforming the child welfare system and growing the Kansas economy – especially in rural communities  – as governor.

Laura Kelly is ready to bring people together and lead Kansas in the next chapter

OnAir Post: Laura Kelly – KS

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About

Source: Government page

Laura Kelly 2On January 14, 2019, Laura Kelly became the 48th Governor of the State of Kansas.

Governor Kelly grew up in a military family and learned the importance of service, integrity and accountability at a young age. She lived all over the world, but she and her family wanted to put down roots in a place with great public schools and vibrant communities. Kansas was an obvious choice.

Kelly began her lifelong career in public service at a state children’s psychiatric center and at a minimum-security prison for boys, where she learned firsthand the importance of accessible mental health care and evidence-based treatment.

Later she became the longtime executive director of the Recreation and Park Association in Kansas. Her role gave her an opportunity to travel to every corner of Kansas, where she gained extensive knowledge of the state and developed a passion for improving Kansas communities and Kansans quality of life.

As a state senator for 14 years, Governor Kelly was a leading voice in promoting healthy families in Kansas and the importance of top-notch public schools in communities of all sizes. She built a reputation as a no-nonsense leader who worked with Democrats and Republicans alike to get things done.

As a ranking member on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, Kelly advocated for fiscally responsible, balanced budgets that reflected Kansans’ shared priorities. Her years of experience working on the state’s budget motivated her to take on the serious challenge of fixing far-reaching problems in Kansas.

As governor, Kelly has worked tirelessly to rebuild state’s broken foundation. Since taking office, she fulfilled her promise to fully fund public schools, she led the passage of a comprehensive 10-year infrastructure plan, and she has rebuilt Kansas’ economic development recruitment tools. All while balancing the state’s budget three years in a row, as promised.

Governor Kelly also established the Office of Rural Prosperity, reinvested in the arts and humanities, and reinstated LGBTQ protections to state employees. She continues to pursue policies good for Kansas families, and is working tirelessly to expand affordable health care to approximately 150,000 Kansans.

Kelly has always sought to strengthen early childhood education programs. From her time in the Senate where she helped create the Early Childhood Block Grant, which funded evidence-based programs across the state, to now as Governor, she plans to implement a robust, comprehensive early childhood system that benefits all Kansans. Her legacy will reflect the importance of childhood education and putting our kids on the right path forward.

Kelly and her husband Ted Daughety, a doctor of pulmonary and sleep disorders, were married in 1983. They have two grown daughters, Kathleen Daughety and Molly Daughety, M.D.

Governor Laura Kelly has made it her life’s work to fight for children and families in her community, on the job, as a four-term state senator and now as Governor.

Personal

Full Name: Laura Kelly

Gender: Female

Family: Husband: Ted; 2 Children: Kathleen, Molly

Birth Date:n01/24/1950

Birth Place: New York, NY

Home City: Topeka, KS

Religion: Catholic

Source: Vote Smart

Education

BS, Psychology, Bradley University

MS, Park and Recreation Administration, Indiana University

Political Experience

Governor, State of Kansas, 2019-present

Former Minority Whip, Kansas State Senate

Former Assistant Minority Leader, Kansas State Senate

Candidate, Governor of Kansas, 2022

Senator, Kansas State Senate, District 18, 2005-201

Professional Experience

Director, Recreation Therapy/Physical Education, National Jewish Hospital for Respiratory and Immune Diseases

Recreation Therapist, Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center

Executive Director, Kansas Recreation and Park Association, 1988-2004

Office

Office of the Governor
Capitol, 300 SW 10th Ave., Ste. 241S

Topeka, KS 66612-1590
Phone: Toll Free: 877-KSWORKS (877-579-6757) Local: 785-296-3232 Kansas Relay Service: 800-766-3777

Constituent Services / Government Affairs
Capitol, 300 SW 10th Ave., Ste. 264W

Topeka, KS 66612-1590
Phone: Toll Free: 877-KSWORKS (877-579-6757) Local: 785-368-8500

Contact

Email: Government

Web Links

Politics

Source: none

Laura Kelly (Democratic Party) is the Governor of Kansas. She assumed office on January 14, 2019. Her current term ends on January 9, 2023.

Kelly (Democratic Party) ran for election for Governor of Kansas. She won in the general election on November 6, 2018.

She ran on a joint ticket with the lieutenant gubernatorial nominee, Lynn Rogers (D).

In the 2018 election, Kelly defeated then-Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R) by a margin of 5 percentage points. She succeeded Jeff Colyer (R), whom Kobach defeated in the Republican primary.

Before her election as governor, Kelly represented District 18 in the state Senate, first winning election in 2004. She had previously spent 16 years as executive director of the Kansas Recreation and Parks Association.[1]

Election Results

To learn more, go to this wikipedia section in this post.

Finances

Source: Open Secrets

New Legislation

More Information

Wikipedia

For the English actress and singer, see Laura Michelle Kelly.

Laura Jeanne Kelly (born January 24, 1950)[1][2] is an American politician serving since 2019 as the 48th governor of Kansas. A member of the Democratic Party, she represented the 18th district in the Kansas Senate from 2005 to 2019.[3] Kelly was elected governor in 2018, defeating Republican nominee Kris Kobach.[4] She was reelected in 2022, narrowly defeating Republican nominee Derek Schmidt.[5]

Early life and education

Kelly was born in New York City to a military family that moved often and was stationed overseas. She studied at Bradley University in Illinois, earning a Bachelor of Science in psychology (1971[6]), and at Indiana University Bloomington, earning a Master of Science in therapeutic recreation.[6][7] (Kelly received the Bradley University Distinguished Alumna award and was inducted into Bradley’s Centurion Society on October 4, 2021.[8])

Kelly worked as a recreation therapist at New York’s Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center. She became director of physical education and recreation therapy at the National Jewish Hospital for Respiratory and Immune Diseases.[1] She then moved to Kansas, and became executive director at the Kansas Recreation and Park Association from 1988 to 2004.[1]

Early political career

Kelly was elected to the Kansas Senate representing northern Topeka in November 2004, later serving as Minority Whip.[9] During her Senate tenure, from 2005 until her 2019 inauguration as governor, she was at times the Ranking Minority member of the Ways and Means Committee, Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight, and Public Health and Welfare Committee.[9]

In late 2009, Kelly briefly considered a run for Kansas’s 2nd congressional district.[10] During the 2011–12 legislative sessions, she served as the Assistant Minority Leader of the Kansas Senate.[11]

Governor of Kansas

Election

2018

Main article: 2018 Kansas gubernatorial election
Kelly campaigning in June 2018

On December 15, 2017, Kelly announced her intention to run for governor of Kansas. In the Democratic primary she ran against former Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer and former Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Josh Svaty.[12][13] On May 24, 2018, Kelly announced State Senator Lynn Rogers as her running mate.[14] On August 7, she defeated Brewer and Svaty, receiving 51.5% of the vote.[15][16]

In the general election, Kelly faced Republican Secretary of State Kris Kobach. Kelly was endorsed by former Kansas Governor and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.[17] She was also endorsed by 28 current or former Republican government officials, including former Kansas Governor Bill Graves; former State Senator, Lt. Governor and U.S. Senator Sheila Frahm, Lt. Gov. Gary Sherrer, Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, Senate President Dick Bond, Senate President David Kerr, Senate Vice President John Vratil, Senate Majority Leaders Tim Emert and Lana Oleen; Senators Barbara Allen, David Wysong, Wint Winter Jr., Pete Brungardt, Ruth Teichman, Barbara Bollier, Audrey Langworthy, Terrie Huntington, Bob Vancrum, and Alicia Salisbury; Representatives JoAnn Pottorff, Ginger Barr, Jim Yonally, Jim Lowther, Fred Lorentz, and Representative and Republican Party Chairperson Rochelle Chronister; Republican National Delegate Don Johnston; and Representatives Joy Koesten and Charles Roth.[18][19]

Graves said, “Laura Kelly is the only Democrat I have ever endorsed for public office. And the reason I’m doing that now is because I believe so much is at stake in the state of Kansas. I have known Laura for over 30 years. She has all the qualities and all the capabilities that we are looking for to lead the state during this difficult time and to reestablish the state to what it once was. … Laura has integrity, and I know she will bring Kansans together regardless of party to solve problems.”[17] Former Republican state senator Tim Owens was the campaign treasurer for Kansas independent candidate Greg Orman, but he stepped down from that post on October 30 and endorsed Kelly, believing only she could beat Kobach.[20]

Kelly described her candidacy as aimed at reversing the fiscal, educational and other “disasters” of Sam Brownback‘s governance. She characterized her opponent, who had been noted for his broad disenfranchisement of voters and legal strategies against immigrants, as “Sam Brownback on steroids”.[21]

On November 6, Kelly was elected with 48.01% of the vote to Kobach’s 42.98% (the other 9% being split amongst two Independent and a Libertarian candidate.[22][circular reference]

2022

Main article: 2022 Kansas gubernatorial election

Kelly was reelected on November 8, 2022, defeating Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, 49.5% to 47.3%.

According to Fox News‘s voter analysis of the 2022 race,[23] Kelly won women voters (51% Kelly, 45% Schmidt), voters 18-29 (51% Kelly, 43% Schmidt), millennials (55%, 39%), Gen X (50%, 47%), college-educated voters (57%, 40%), and Latino/Hispanic voters (58%).

Kelly lost voters who were concerned about inflation by four points (46%). She lost voters who listed groceries and food as their most important inflation concern by one point, possibly due to her support for eliminating or reducing sales taxes on groceries in Kansas.[24][25] 69% of voters listed abortion as an important factor in their vote, and Kelly won this group by 24 points (60%, 36%), closely mirroring the results of the 2022 Kansas abortion referendum. She won voters who listed “the future of democracy in this country” as an important factor in their vote (88% of voters) by seven points (52%).[23]

Cabinet

OfficeIncumbent
Lieutenant GovernorDavid Toland
Adjutant GeneralMichael Venerdi
Secretary of AdministrationAdam Proffitt
Secretary of AgricultureMike Beam
Secretary of CommerceDavid Toland
Secretary of CorrectionsJeff Zmuda
Secretary of Health and EnvironmentJanet Stanek
Superintendent of the Highway PatrolErik Smith
Secretary for Children and FamiliesLaura Howard
Secretary of LaborAmber Shultz
Secretary of RevenueMark Burghardt
Secretary of TransportationCalvin Reed
Secretary of Wildlife and ParksBrad Loveless

Tenure and political positions

Budget and economic issues

Kelly meeting with businessman Anthony Pratt, October 2022.

Kelly was critical of the Kansas experiment, the experimental Kansas budget of her predecessor Sam Brownback that led to cuts in schools, roads, and public safety. She would like to reverse those changes and pointed out that after there were major budget shortages she led a bipartisan effort to successfully balance the budget without increasing taxes.[26][27]

In 2019, Kelly vetoed two Republican bills that would have cut state income taxes in Kansas.[27] She said that the state could not afford the cuts,[27] and that the Republican bill, which would have cut revenues by an estimated $245 million over a three-year period, would have precipitated a “senseless fiscal crisis” and created a budget deficit.[28] Kelly’s decision, as well as higher-than-expected state revenue intakes, led to the state beginning its 2020 budget year with $1.1 billion in cash reserves.[27] She sought to use some of the reserves to pay down debt and make payments to the state pension system.[29] In May 2022, she signed a bill into law that will gradually reduce the sales tax rate on food before eliminating it in 2025.[30][31]

COVID-19 responses

Main article: COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Kelly, like other governors, took steps to halt the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). She declared a state of emergency on March 12, 2020, following the state’s first COVID-19 death,[32] and issued a 60-day ban on public gatherings of 50 or more people and a moratorium on utility shutoffs on March 16.[33] On March 18, citing the unprecedented crisis, Kelly directed the end to all in-person K–12 classes for the remainder of the school year, making Kansas the first state to take that step.[34] On March 23, to combat the virus’s spread, she limited public gatherings to ten people.[35] On March 28, amid increasing deaths and illnesses, Kelly issued a “stay at home” order that directed all residents to remain at home, except for travel for essential work, essential business (such as traveling to obtain medical care or groceries), and outdoor exercise with social distancing measures.[36] Almost two dozen other states had already issued similar orders, and almost 75% of Kansas’s population was already affected by similar orders from local officials, since 25 Kansas counties, including the most populous ones, already had stay-at-home orders in place.[36] Kelly strongly criticized the Trump administration‘s slow response to the crisis and the federal failure to provide Kansas and other states with adequate supplies of personal protective equipment (such as masks, gloves, and gowns) and testing kits.[37]

The Kansas City Star‘s editorial board criticized Kelly’s rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, writing, “Kansas seems to be uniquely underperforming, a recurring issue for Kelly and the administration she leads.” But the board added that Kelly did not bear all the burden for the state’s response shortcomings because Republican state legislators were insisting that individual counties exercise sole authority with respect to COVID-19 efforts. That resulted in a slapdash response when treatment and vaccinations became available. If the state was not sufficiently prepared for the pandemic, many counties were even less so, citing CDC data showing Kansas near the bottom of vaccinations per 100,000 residents.[38] Members of the Kansas congressional delegation, including Sharice Davids, called on Kelly to do more to address the backlog of claimants at the Department of Labor seeking unemployment payments from federal programs aimed to help residents out of work due to the pandemic.[39]

On November 16, 2020, Kelly renewed her call for the legislature to join her in the issuance of masking orders.[40]

Executive order on religious gatherings

Because Kelly’s orders on public gatherings applied to Easter Sunday celebrations in churches, the Republican-majority Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC)[nb 1], a group of leaders of the Kansas Legislature, voted to revoke her order on a 5–2 party-line vote on April 9, 2020, asserting that the order violated the free exercise of religion.[42][43][44] Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt opposed Kelly’s order, issuing a memorandum calling it a violation of the Kansas state law, and urged law enforcement not to enforce it.[42] Kelly called this “shockingly irresponsible”;[42] at the time, there had been more than a thousand confirmed COVID-19 cases, and dozens of confirmed COVID-19 deaths, in Kansas,[44] and of 11 identified sources of contagion, three had come from recent religious gatherings.[45] She challenged the LCC’s decision in the Kansas Supreme Court. Following an expedited oral argument (conducted remotely via Zoom teleconference), the state Supreme Court unanimously reinstated Kelly’s orders, concluding that her executive order was valid and that the LCC lacked the authority to overturn it.[46][47][48][49]

A week later, in a separate case, U.S. District Judge John W. Broomes in Wichita issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of Kelly’s order as to two churches (one in Junction City, the other in Dodge City), contending that the restriction violated religious freedom and free speech rights.[50][51] That case became moot after Kelly issued a new executive order with less restrictive COVID-19 rules effective on May 4, 2020, under an agreement that allowed the churches to hold larger in-person services but required social distancing.[52]

Healthcare

As governor, Kelly pushed the Republican-controlled Kansas legislature to accept the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act,[53] to provide health care coverage to up to 150,000 Kansans.[54] A Medicaid expansion plan had passed the Kansas Legislature in 2017, but Brownback vetoed it.[54] In January 2020, after years of Republican opposition, Kelly struck a bipartisan compromise deal with Republican Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning that made Kansas the 38th state to accept the Medicaid expansion.[54] Under the agreement, on January 1, 2021, Medicaid coverage was expanded to Kansas residents earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level.[54] In 2021, Kelly called for further expansion of Medicaid, proposing to pay for it with the revenue from the legalization of medical marijuana.[55]

Kelly has also supported reforming KanCare so that more citizens have access to health insurance.[26]

Human services

Kelly combined the Department of Children and Family Services with the Department of Aging and Disability Services into a consolidated, integrated Department of Human Services.[56]

In January 2020, Kelly called for major changes to the Osawatomie State Hospital, the long-troubled state psychiatric hospital that has faced scrutiny from federal regulators over security, safety, and treatment lapses. She has supported a plan for state funding for mental health crisis centers in the state.[57]

Immigrant rights

Kelly has clashed with immigrants rights advocates, signing a Republican-backed bill in 2022 that was written by her eventual gubernatorial opponent, then state attorney general, Derek Schmidt. The state law was written to prevent the implementation of a recently passed local law in Wyandotte County, which sought to enact a community identification card program intended to benefit immigrants, the formerly incarcerated, those experiencing homelessness, those aged out of the foster care system, and the elderly.[58]

School funding

Kelly has largely reversed former governor Sam Brownback‘s education agenda since taking office in 2019. She has said that she would like to ensure Kansas schools are funded and focus on improving Kansas students’ performance to be competitive with other parts of the country. For example, she would address the statewide teacher shortage and improve pay for educators. She would also like to expand early childhood programs and increase options for students pursuing higher education.[26]

Social issues

In her first official act as governor, Kelly signed an executive order reinstating the employment discrimination protections for LGBT state workers that Governor Sam Brownback had eliminated in 2015.[59]

Kelly opposed a Republican-proposed anti-abortion amendment to the Kansas Constitution in early 2020, saying it would return Kansas to the “dark ages“. Amid acrimonious debate, the state House fell four votes short of the two-thirds majority required to put it on the state ballot.[60] In 2022, she expressed her opposition to the 2022 Kansas abortion referendum that would have removed the right to an abortion from the state constitution. The amendment was defeated, with nearly 60% of voters rejecting it.[61][62]

Taxes

During the 2024 Kansas legislative session, Kelly vetoed multiple bills intended to provide tax relief, including a bipartisan bill that passed the Kansas House unanimously.[63][64]

Personal life

Kelly has been married to physician Ted Daughety, a specialist in pulmonary and sleep disorders, since 1979. They moved to Topeka in 1986. They have two adult daughters, Kathleen and Molly Daughety.[21]

Kelly is Catholic.[65]

Other political activism

In 2023, Kelly launched Middle of the Road PAC in an effort to elect candidates.[66]

Electoral history

Kansas Gubernatorial election, 2022[67]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Democratic

499,849 49.54% +1.53%
Republican
477,59147.33%+4.35%
Independent
20,4522.03%N/A
Libertarian
  • Seth Cordell
  • Evan Laudick-Gains
11,1061.10%−0.80%
Total votes1,008,998 100.0%
Democratic hold
Kansas gubernatorial Democratic primary, 2022[68]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic

270,968 93.84
Democratic
  • Richard Karnowski
  • Barry Franco
17,8026.16
Total votes288,770 100
Kansas Gubernatorial election, 2018[69]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticLaura Kelly 506,727 48.0%
RepublicanKris Kobach453,64543.0%
IndependentGreg Orman68,5906.5%
LibertarianJeff Caldwell20,0201.9%
IndependentRick Kloos6,5840.6%
Majority53,0825.03%
Turnout1,055,566
Democratic gain from RepublicanSwing+2.2%
Kansas gubernatorial Democratic primary, 2018[70]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
DemocraticLaura Kelly 78,746 51.5%
DemocraticCarl Brewer30,69320.1%
DemocraticJosh Svaty26,72217.5%
DemocraticArden Andersen12,8458.4%
DemocraticJack Bergeson3,8502.5%
Majority48,05331.4%
Turnout152,856
Kansas Senate 18th district election, 2016[71]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticLaura Kelly (incumbent) 15,007 51.6
RepublicanDave Jackson14,07648.4
Total votes29,083 100.0
Democratic hold
Kansas Senate 18th district election, 2012[72]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticLaura Kelly (incumbent) 14,813 51.7
RepublicanDick Barta13,83348.3
Total votes28,646 100.0
Democratic hold
Kansas Senate 18th district election, 2008[73]
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticLaura Kelly (incumbent) 18,009 58.1
RepublicanJames Zeller12,95941.8
Total votes30,968 100.0
Democratic hold
Kansas Senate 18th district election, 2004[74][75]
Primary election
PartyCandidateVotes%
DemocraticLaura Kelly 4,559 71.8
DemocraticD. Kent Hurn1,79328.2
Total votes6,352 100.0
General election
DemocraticLaura Kelly 15,388 50.1
RepublicanDave Jackson (incumbent)15,29049.9
Total votes30,678 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The LCC, established under Chapter 46, Kansas Statutes,[41] consists of the presiding officers and party leaders of both houses of the Legislature.

References

  1. ^ a b c “Laura Kelly,” Kansapedia, Kansas Historical Society, retrieved November 27, 2022
  2. ^ “Kelly, Laura Jeanne”. FEC.gov. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  3. ^ “US News – Laura Kelly Upset Victory”. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  4. ^ “Meet Laura Kelly | Laura Kelly for Governor”. www.laurakellyforkansas.com. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  5. ^ Edelman, Adam (November 9, 2022). “Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly wins re-election, defeating GOP challenger Derek Schmidt”. NBC News. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  6. ^ a b “Our 50 Governors and the Degrees They’ve Earned,” updated October 4, 2022, CollegeCliffs.com, retrieved November 27, 2022
  7. ^ “Official Profile: Kansas (KS) State Senator Laura Kelly”. Archived from the original on February 19, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  8. ^ “Alumni Inducted Into Bradley Centurion Society”. Bradley University. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  9. ^ a b “Senator Laura Kelly: Senate Minority Whip | Legislators | Kansas State Legislature”. kslegislature.org. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  10. ^ ““Kelly ending U.S House bid”, Topeka Capital-Journal”. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  11. ^ “Senator Laura Kelly – Legislators – Kansas State Legislature”. kslegislature.org. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  12. ^ “Brewer promises community activist campaign for governor”. Kansas.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  13. ^ Carpenter, Tim. “Democrat Joshua Svaty declares candidacy for Kansas governor”. The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  14. ^ “Kelly picks fellow state senator from Wichita as running mate”. Kansas.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  15. ^ Almukhtar, Sarah; Bloch, Matthew; Lee, Jasmine C. (August 7, 2018). “Kansas Primary Election Results”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  16. ^ “Kansas primary election results 2018”. Kansas.com. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  17. ^ a b Woodall, Hunter (September 4, 2018). “Former GOP governor of Kansas endorses Democrat Laura Kelly over Kris Kobach”. Kansas City Star. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  18. ^ “Laura Kelly touts growing list of Republican support”. WIBW. September 14, 2018. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  19. ^ Carpenter, Tim. “Two dozen GOP lawmakers endorse Democrat Kelly for governor”. The Topeka Capital Journal. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
  20. ^ Shorman, Jonathan (October 31, 2018). “Orman treasurer resigns, endorses Kelly in Kansas governor race”. Wichita Eagle. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  21. ^ a b Hancock, Peter (October 7, 2018). “Democratic gubernatorial candidate Laura Kelly hopes to ‘slam the door’ on Brownback’s policies”. Lawrence Journal World. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  22. ^ “2018 Kansas Elections”. Wikipedia. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  23. ^ a b “Fox News Voter Analysis”. Fox News. July 9, 2023. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  24. ^ Finnerty, Katharine (May 11, 2022). “Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signs ‘Axe the Food Tax’ bill into law”. KSHB 41 Kansas City News. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  25. ^ “Governor Laura Kelly’s Plan to “Axe the Food Tax”: What They’re Saying”. Governor of the State of Kansas. November 10, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  26. ^ a b c “Election Guide: Laura Kelly (D-Kansas Governor)”. KSNW. October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  27. ^ a b c d John Hanna, Rising Kansas revenues fuel GOP anger over lack of tax cuts, Associated Press (February 3, 2020).
  28. ^ Dion Lefler, Gov. Kelly vetoes Republican tax bill, says it would bring ‘senseless fiscal crisis’, Wichita Eagle (May 17, 2019).
  29. ^ Kansas Governor Seeks to Use Cash Reserves to Pay off Debt, Associated Press (January 16, 2020).
  30. ^ McLean, Jim (May 11, 2022). “You’ll be paying a lower sales tax for groceries in Kansas soon, but it won’t go to zero until 2025”. KCUR. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  31. ^ Finnerty, Katharine (May 11, 2022). “Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signs ‘Axe the Food Tax’ bill into law”. KSHB 41 Kansas City News. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  32. ^ John Hanna & Heather Hollingsworth, Kansas reports COVID-19 death; governor declares emergency, Associated Press (May 2, 2020) Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  33. ^ John Hanna, Kansas bans gatherings of 50; Kansas City area goes further, Associated Press (March 16, 2020). Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  34. ^ Colin Dwyer, Kansas Becomes The First State To End In-Person Classes For The Year, NPR (March 18, 2020).
  35. ^ Nicole Asbury, Kelly restricts public gatherings to no more than 10 to combat coronavirus spread, Kansas City Star (March 23, 2020). Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  36. ^ a b Kansas governor orders residents to stay home to curb virus, Associated Press (March 28, 2020).
  37. ^ John Hanna & Heather Hollingsworth, Kansas governor calls US officials unprepared for COVID-19, Associated Press (April 2, 2020). Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  38. ^ “Gov. Laura Kelly knew the COVID vaccine was coming. Why wasn’t Kansas better prepared?”. Kansas City Star. January 8, 2021.
  39. ^ Bahl, Andrew. “Gov. Laura Kelly announces KDOL changes as sweeping modernization effort moves on”. The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  40. ^ Kansas Governor Laura Kelly renews push for mask mandate, Wichita Eagle, Laura Kelly, via Facebook, October 21, 2020.
  41. ^ Chapter 46, Kansas Statutes
  42. ^ a b c War over Easter: Kansas lawmakers revoke Gov. Kelly’s order limiting church gatherings, Wichita Eagle, Jonathan Shorman, Amy Renee Leiker and Michael Stavola, April 8, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  43. ^ Sherman Smith, Kansas coronavirus update: Supreme Court sides with Gov. Laura Kelly in fight over church crowds Archived April 15, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, Leavenworth Times (April 11, 2020).
  44. ^ a b Conner Mitchell, Governor blasts Kansas lawmakers’ vote to rescind limits on in-person religious gatherings, Lawrence Journal-World (April 8, 2020).
  45. ^ Kansas has 3 church-related COVID-19 clusters, state says amid scramble for supplies, Wichita Eagle, Jonathan Shorman, April 6, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  46. ^ Kelly v. Legislative Coordinating Counsel, Kansas Supreme Court (April 11, 2020).
  47. ^ Kansas Supreme Court says executive order banning religious service of more than 10 people stands, KMBC, April 11, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  48. ^ Jason Breslow, Kansas Supreme Court Upholds Governor’s Order Limiting The Size Of Easter Services, NPR (April 12, 2020).
  49. ^ Conner Mitchell, Kansas Supreme Court says legislative panel didn’t have authority to revoke governor’s order, Lawrence Journal-World (April 11, 2020).
  50. ^ “Judge doubts Kansas COVID-19 rule, blocks it for 2 churches”. AP NEWS. April 18, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  51. ^ Shorman, Jonathan (April 26, 2020). “Kansas governor to issue less restrictive coronavirus rules beginning May 4”.
  52. ^ Carylynn Stark & Jonathan Shorman, Kansas governor to issue less restrictive coronavirus rules beginning May 4, Kansas City Star (April 25, 2020).
  53. ^ Phil McCausland, Kansas governor, top Republican reach deal to expand Medicaid, NBC News (January 9, 2020).
  54. ^ a b c d John Hanna, New Kansas proposal breaks impasse on expanding Medicaid, Associated Press (January 9, 2020).
  55. ^ “Missouri Republicans block funds for voter-approved Medicaid expansion”. Kansas City Star. 2021.
  56. ^ Laura Howard, Together for stronger, more effective human services agency, Hutchison News, February 8, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  57. ^ Gov. Kelly: Kansas psychiatric hospital unit needs changes, Associated Press (January 3, 2020).
  58. ^ “Kansas Governor Kelly signs ‘sanctuary city’ bill, dealing harsh blow to immigration activists”. KCUR – Kansas City news and NPR. April 12, 2022. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  59. ^ Shorman, Jonathan (January 15, 2019). “Kelly reinstates protections for LGBT state workers in Kansas eliminated by Brownback”. The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  60. ^ Jonathan Shorman, Kelly accused of pressuring ‘her own Catholic people’ on abortion vote as tempers flare, Wichita Eagle (February 11, 2020).
  61. ^ Hanna, John (September 3, 2022). “Kansas governor lauds abortion vote but focuses on economy”. AP. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  62. ^ Martinez, A; Kurtzleben, Danielle (August 3, 2022). “Kansans vote to keep abortion legal in the state, reject constitutional amendment”. NPR. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  63. ^ Smith, Tim Carpenter, Sherman (April 5, 2024). “Kansas House derails governor-backed tax legislation overwhelmingly approved by Senate • Kansas Reflector”. Kansas Reflector. Retrieved June 16, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  64. ^ Carpenter, Tim (May 9, 2024). “Gov. Laura Kelly affirms plan to veto bipartisan $2.3 billion, five-year tax reform bill • Kansas Reflector”. Kansas Reflector. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  65. ^ “The Voter’s Self Defense System”.
  66. ^ Carpenter, Tim (August 7, 2023). “Gov. Laura Kelly forms PAC to support moderate GOP, Democratic legislative candidates”. Kansas Reflector. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  67. ^ “2022 General Election – Official Vote Totals” (PDF). Kansas Secretary of State. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 2, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  68. ^ “2022 Primary Election Official Vote Totals” (PDF). Kansas Secretary of State. August 2, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  69. ^ “Kansas Election Results”. The New York Times. November 6, 2018. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  70. ^ Almukhtar, Sarah; Bloch, Matthew; Lee, Jasmine C. (August 7, 2018). “Kansas Primary Election Results”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  71. ^ “Kansas Secretary of State 2016 General Election Official Vote Totals” (PDF). kssos.org. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  72. ^ “Kansas Secretary of State 2012 General Election Official Vote Totals” (PDF). kssos.org. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  73. ^ “Kansas Secretary of State 2008 General Election Official Vote Totals” (PDF). kssos.org. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  74. ^ “Kansas Secretary of State 2004 Primary Election Official Vote Totals” (PDF). kssos.org. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  75. ^ “Kansas Secretary of State 2004 General Election Official Vote Totals” (PDF). kssos.org. Retrieved March 27, 2019.

Further reading

Kansas Senate
Preceded by

Dave Jackson
 Member of the Kansas Senate
from the 18th district
2005–2019		Succeeded by

Party political offices
Preceded by

 Democratic nominee for Governor of Kansas
2018, 2022		Most recent
Preceded by

 Chair of the Democratic Governors Association
2024–present		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by

 Governor of Kansas
2019–present		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by

as Vice President

 Order of precedence of the United States
Within Kansas		Succeeded by

Mayor of city in which event is held
Succeeded by

Otherwise Mike Johnson

as Speaker of the House

Preceded by

as Governor of Oregon

 Order of precedence of the United States
Outside Kansas		Succeeded by

as Governor of West Virginia


source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Kelly