The longtime chairman of the Kansas House Insurance Committee is seeking the Republican nomination for insurance commissioner.
Rep. Clark Shultz of McPherson said Thursday he's thought about running for the office for several years. But he said he's intended to wait to run until three-term Republican incumbent Sandy Praeger planned to retire. Praeger isn't expected to seek another four-year term next year.
Shultz said one of his main goals as commissioner would be attracting new insurance companies to Kansas.
Shultz is the fourth declared Republican candidate, with the GOP primary set for August 2014. No Democrat has publicly announced plans to run.
The 56-year-old Shultz has served in the House since 1997 and has been chairman of its Insurance Committee for nine years. He's also chairman of its rules committee.