A former Kansas lawmaker is joining the 2018 race for governor. Republican Jim Barnett will formally announce his run during several campaign stops Tuesday.
Barnett was a state Senator from Emporia for a decade, and he was the GOP candidate for Kansas governor in 2006. He lost that race to Democrat Kathleen Sebelius.
Barnett is a physician practicing in Topeka and is president of the Shawnee County Medical Society.
He’s joining an already crowded field. Several other Republicans, including Secretary of State Kris Kobach, are running or considering it. There are also multiple Democrats running or considering the race. Sitting Republican Governor Sam Brownback is term limited and can't run for reelection.
Jim McLean of the Kansas News Service was there when Barnett announced his campaign in Topeka Tuesday and has details.