Democratic state Rep. Jennifer Day signaled her departure from the Kansas Legislature shortly before this year’s session ended.
Day, who represents House District 48 in Overland Park, posted on Facebook that she and her husband were building a new home in northeast Overland Park.
She said she expects the new home to be ready this summer.
Day said she would now be represented by Democratic state Rep. Jerry Stogsdill of Prairie Village (District 21) and Democratic state Sen. Ethan Corson of Prairie Village.
“Today is, for time being, my final day of work at the Kansas Legislature,” Day posted on Facebook hours before the session ended.
“This experience has been absolutely wonderful in loads of ways (the things I’ve learned, the people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made)…”
Day added that she would stay involved in Kansas politics.
“I love. this. job. I am so honored and proud to have been able to be a part of the Kansas Leg, even if for a short time. Maybe I’ll be back in another few years if I can convince Jerry to let me take his seat…,” she said.
Day has not made an official announcement of her departure from the Legislature and she could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
It was not known when she might be giving up the seat so Democratic precinct leaders could choose a replacement.
Day was appointed in 2020 to replace former state Rep. Dave Benson in House District 48, which covers a swath of central Overland Park from 119th Street to 151st Street.
She later held onto the seat when she defeated Republican challenger Terry Frederick by 62 votes.
The district has a distinct Democratic tilt.
It was carried by President Joe Biden with 54% of the vote. Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Barbara Bollier won it with 52%.
Gov. Laura Kelly also won the district with 53% in 2018.
Former President Trump carried the district with about 48% of the vote in 2016.
Day remarked fondly about some of the women lawmakers she served with including Democratic Reps. Stephanie Byers, Christina Haswood, Lindsay Vaughn, Linda Featherston, Mari-Lynn Poskin and Jo Ella Hoye.
“Working alongside these amazing, strong, groundbreaking women has been an honor of a lifetime,” she wrote
“YOU INSPIRE ME. Please keep me on the group text chat, even when I’m not in Topeka anymore, mkay?”
“Let’s keep fighting the good fight however we can, wherever we are, and know that I’m here with you in spirit every step of the way! (But might be at home working on a puzzle as I listen in to your committee meetings or floor action online.”
