WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Barry Grissom says he will step down as U.S. attorney for Kansas effective Friday. U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Monday said that Grissom helped make Kansas and the entire United States a safer and more just place. She lauded his work building new relations with state and local law enforcement. Grissom, 62, told the Kansas City Star that he tendered his resignation to the president about 10 days ago and said he will go into private practice. He said he’s proud of the fact that he met with so many law enforcement officials in rural and western Kansas and “put a face on the federal government." Grissom, a Democrat from Leawood, said he’s has been encouraged to run for political office but hasn't decided when or for which position. He says the office that most interests him is the U.S. Senate. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Beall will serve as acting U.S. attorney. Grissom also served as a member of the U.S. Attorney General's Advisory Committee and on the Justice Department subcommittees focusing on civil rights and other issues. He was nominated by President Barack Obama in 2010.
