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Kansas’ top securities regulator has been named its election chief.
In a press conference Tuesday at the Statehouse, Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson named Chris Biggs to the Secretary of State post.
Biggs was sworn in immediately by State Supreme Court Justice Lawton Nuss.
Biggs replaces Republican Ron Thornburgh, who resigned in February to become the senior vice president for NIC, Inc., of Olathe. That company builds and manages government Web sites.
“I take the Secretary of State position very seriously,” Parkinson said during the news conference. “Chris has the experience because he has been in the public sector, has run an office and managed a staff.”
Biggs becomes the first Democrat to hold the office since January 1951 and moves from the state’s securities commissioner to the top elections official.
“I have no agenda going into the office other than to serve the people of the state of Kansas,” Biggs said.
Biggs has served as securities commissioner since being appointed by then-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in May 2003. Prior to that, Biggs served as Geary County Attorney.
Parkinson said that he and Biggs were on the same page with relation to the office and what it entails.
“He is well-respected,” Parkinson said. “He has the right vision for the office.”
Biggs is also running for the job on a permanent basis for the Democrat nomination. Parkinson’s appointment appears as an endorsement of Biggs over State. Sen. Chris Steineger, of Kansas City, for the Democrat’s nod. In addition, there are three Republicans that are seeking the seat, including Shawnee County Elections Commissioner Elizabeth Ensley, who was appointed by Thornburgh, as well as UMKC law professor Kris Kobach, of Piper, and J.R. Claeys of Salina.
On Tuesday, Biggs’ appointment drew support from Kansas Democratic Party Chairman Larry Gates.
“As Geary County Prosecutor and later as Securities Commissioner Chris Biggs earned an exceptional reputation for administrating both offices with the highest regard for fairness and security,” Gates said in a statement. “These values, combined with Chris’s administrative talents, make him an outstanding choice for Secretary of State and equip him to protect the fair, open and secure elections Kansans deserve.”
Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140
Kansas’ top securities regulator has been named its election chief.
In a press conference Tuesday at the Statehouse, Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson named Chris Biggs to the Secretary of State post.
Biggs was sworn in immediately by State Supreme Court Justice Lawton Nuss.
Biggs replaces Republican Ron Thornburgh, who resigned in February to become the senior vice president for NIC, Inc., of Olathe. That company builds and manages government Web sites.
“I take the Secretary of State position very seriously,” Parkinson said during the news conference. “Chris has the experience because he has been in the public sector, has run an office and managed a staff.”
Biggs becomes the first Democrat to hold the office since January 1951 and moves from the state’s securities commissioner to the top elections official.
“I have no agenda going into the office other than to serve the people of the state of Kansas,” Biggs said.
Biggs has served as securities commissioner since being appointed by then-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in May 2003. Prior to that, Biggs served as Geary County Attorney.
Parkinson said that he and Biggs were on the same page with relation to the office and what it entails.
“He is well-respected,” Parkinson said. “He has the right vision for the office.”
Biggs is also running for the job on a permanent basis for the Democrat nomination. Parkinson’s appointment appears as an endorsement of Biggs over State. Sen. Chris Steineger, of Kansas City, for the Democrat’s nod. In addition, there are three Republicans that are seeking the seat, including Shawnee County Elections Commissioner Elizabeth Ensley, who was appointed by Thornburgh, as well as UMKC law professor Kris Kobach, of Piper, and J.R. Claeys of Salina.
On Tuesday, Biggs’ appointment drew support from Kansas Democratic Party Chairman Larry Gates.
“As Geary County Prosecutor and later as Securities Commissioner Chris Biggs earned an exceptional reputation for administrating both offices with the highest regard for fairness and security,” Gates said in a statement. “These values, combined with Chris’s administrative talents, make him an outstanding choice for Secretary of State and equip him to protect the fair, open and secure elections Kansans deserve.”
Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140
