A Kansas lawmaker has switched to running for state treasurer after planning to seek the Democratic nomination for secretary of state.
State Sen. Marci Francisco of Lawrence announced her decision Thursday. Democrats had not found a candidate to challenge incumbent Republican Treasurer Jake LaTurner.
Former Uber and Google executive Brian McClendon of Lawrence is running for the Democratic nomination for secretary of state. Francisco's switch likely heads off a primary contest for him.
Francisco said in a statement that Kansas Democratic Party Chairman John Gibson asked her to switch races. She was first elected to the Senate in 2004 after serving as Lawrence's mayor.
Then-Gov. Sam Brownback appointed LaTurner treasurer last year. He replaced Republican Ron Estes after Estes won a special election to fill a vacant congressional seat.
