Republican state Sen. Larry Alley has upped the ante in his bid to win reelection as Senate majority leader, staking claim to support from the Senate president.
Alley sent a campaign mailer to Republican senators, touting support for majority leader from Senate President Ty Masterson and Senate Majority Whip Rick Kloos.
Alley is facing a challenge from Republican state Sen. Chase Blasi of Wichita, former chief of staff for former Senate president Susan Wagle and former chief of operations for Masterson after he assumed the role as president.
Blasi was just elected to his first full term in the Senate. In 2022, precinct committee leaders picked Blasi to replace Gene Suellentrop, who resigned from the Senate.
“Majority leader experience matters,” blares the headline from Alley’s mailer.
The mailer contains quotes from Masterson and Kloos supporting Alley.
“Sen. Larry Alley is my choice for Senate majority leader,” Masterson says on the flier.
Kloos adds, “I’ve always appreciated Larry’s support as majority leader and look forward to working with him for the next four years.”
Masterson said through a spokesperson that the mailer spoke for itself.
Blasi declined to comment.
Alley’s mailer touts efforts to eliminate the income tax on Social Security, send Kansas National Guard troops to the southern border, fully fund schools, increase the penalties for fentanyl and cut property taxes.
Last week, Alley sent a text message to senators indicating that his chief of staff, Eric Rucker, would step down in January to “explore other opportunities.”
Alley said Rucker would step aside regardless of what happens with the upcoming leadership elections.
Alley’s announcement about Rucker came amid his effort to get reelected Senate majority leader even as some senators grumble that Rucker has had an outsized influence as chief of staff.
It was an issue that bubbled up in 2021 when Alley first ran for Senate majority leader and ultimately prevailed over Republican Sen. Jeff Longbine.
Alley said in an interview that Rucker’s decision to leave was not related to the leadership election.
“Eric’s been a good soldier for us,” Alley said. “He did a good job.”
Alley kept Rucker – a former state senator – when he was elected majority leader in 2021.
He inherited Rucker from Suellentrop, who was forced to leave the majority leader position after he was charged with drunk driving.
Alley said he kept Rucker and Kathy Sachs, policy and research director, to allow for a smooth transition when he became majority leader.
“They’ve done a great job for me,” he said. “I have no complaints whatsoever.
“I’m pleased with the support I’ve gotten from Eric and Kathy. I couldn’t ask for a better group,” he said.
