A Republican state senator from Pittsburg will become the next treasurer for Kansas.
Gov. Sam Brownback appointed Jake LaTurner on Tuesday to serve the rest of Ron Estes’ term now that Estes is headed to Congress.
The governor says LaTurner, now 29, became the youngest sitting member of the Kansas Legislature when he was elected five years ago to represent Senate District 13 in the southeast corner of the state.
Before that, LaTurner worked for Republican Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins. He said at a press briefing Tuesday that politics is the family business.
"My father is in public education, and served as mayor of my hometown while I was growing up," LaTurner said. "My grandfather was a Democrat and served as probate and later district magistrate judge back home. Both men taught me that public service is a good thing, and inspired me to get involved and to try to make a difference."
LaTurner served on five committees in the Legislature: joint committee on state-tribal relations; transportation; home and community-based services oversight; public health and welfare; and federal and state affairs, where he served as chair.
He was elected to District 13 in 2012 and re-elected last year. District 13 covers all of Cherokee and Crawford counties and part of Bourbon and Labette counties.
LaTurner successfully authored and passed the property tax lid, which requires a local vote on proposed property tax increases beyond inflation.
He said plans to enter the 2018 election to try to keep his new job as state treasurer.
Ron Estes is expected to be sworn into Congress next week following the state canvass of the special election. He will replace former U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo in the 4th District of south-central Kansas. Pompeo was appointed as CIA director in January.
Estes beat Democrat James Thompson by 7 percentage points in the April 11 special election.
The state treasurer manages deposits of state funds and oversees a college savings program and a program that returns unclaimed property to its owners.
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