Sam Brownback plans to step down as Kansas governor on Wednesday following his confirmation by the U.S. Senate to an ambassador's post.
Brownback sent a letter of resignation Thursday to Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, detailing his plan to step down next week at 3 p.m. Fellow Republican Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer will be elevated to governor.
Colyer's office said in a news release later Thursday that he will be sworn in at 3 p.m. in a ceremony in the Capitol rotunda.
The Senate voted 50-49 along party lines Tuesday to confirm Brownback's appointment by President Donald Trump as U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. Vice President Mike Pence broke a tie to ensure Brownback's confirmation.
Brownback is a former U.S. senator who was elected governor in 2010 and re-elected in 2014, both times with Colyer on his ticket.
Colyer is a candidate for governor in 2018.
