LENEXA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who is helping lead President Donald Trump's commission on election fraud, says he is running for governor. The Republican announced his 2018 bid today (THUR) in Lenexa. Kobach has helped draft laws and ordinances in several states aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration, and he has a national reputation for championing tough voter identification laws. He has been advising Trump since before the election. Kobach's announcement comes just two days after Kansas legislators enacted a law rolling back income tax cuts championed by current Republican Governor Sam Brownback. Lawmakers did so by overriding Brownback's veto. Kobach strongly criticized the move. Kobach is also a strong abortion opponent and gun-rights advocate. The 51-year-old has been the Kansas secretary of state since 2011.
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Secretary of State Kicks Off Campaign for Kansas Governor / #1
And with that, Secretary of State Kris Kobach kicked off his campaign for Kansas governor. Speaking in Lenexa today (THUR), Kobach said he wanted to bring leadership to the governor's office and keep the Kansas Legislature in check.
The 51-year-old Republican says he's primarily concerned about three big issues: corruption, taxes and illegal immigration. Saying the state has a spending problem, Kobach compared taxation to "stealing." Regarding illegal immigration, he called Kansas the "sanctuary state of the Midwest" for employing undocumented workers. Kobach is also a strong abortion opponent and gun-rights advocate. He joins a growing list of Republican and Democratic candidates who are either running for governor or considering a run.
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Secretary of State Kicks Off Campaign for Kansas Governor / #2
Secretary of State Kris Kobach is running to become the next governor of Kansas. The 51-year-old Republican officially launched his campaign today (THUR) at an event in Lenexa.
Kobach has earned a national and controversial reputation for championing tough voter identification laws. He also serves on President Trump's commission on election fraud.