Republican state Rep. Fred Patton of Topeka said this morning that he will resign from the Kansas House so he can devote more time to civic activities, his law practice and family.
“I’m proud of what we have accomplished this past decade in the Legislature,” Patton said in announcing his departure on Oct. 16.
“The things I set out to do in this role were to better our business climate, support our local schools, and give Northern Shawnee County a strong voice in the statehouse,” he said.
“By leaving now and giving our next representative an extra year of experience, it is my hope our district will retain some seniority and continue to hold a strong position of advocacy for our families, our schools, and our businesses.”
Elected to the Kansas House in 2014 from District 50, the 49-year-old Patton has served as the chair of the House Judiciary Committee where he played a key role modernizing the state’s emergency management laws during the pandemic.
He’s been active in the community as well, serving on the Seaman School Board from 2003 to 2021. He’s also president of the board of directors for the Topeka Zoo.
He’s president of Ballet Midwest where his daughter is actively involved. He chairs the Gage Park Improvement Authority, which manages money the park gets from a sales tax.
Patton said he started considering his future when he began jogging last spring.
“I spend a lot of time every morning running and thinking about what’s important in life,” Patton said in an interview.
“I just decided I want to spend more time with my family and I want to retire someday – you can’t do that when I shut my law practice down for six months at a time.
“I’ve gotten more involved with stuff here in Topeka and stuff that’s going to take more and more of my time,” he said.
“I still want great things for the state,” he said. “I’m sure I will be involved as much as people will let me. It’s time to let somebody else serve.”
House Speaker Dan Hawkins called Patton – known for an affable and easy-going demeanor – “one of the most respected members of the House of Representatives.”
“I especially appreciate his time as Judiciary and Rules Chair and his leadership on numerous major issues including emergency management reform during COVID,” Hawkins said in a statement.
“Fred’s presence will most certainly be missed but I wish him the best as he pursues his many other passions.”
Patton’s replacement will be picked by Republican precinct leaders.
They have 21 days to convene from the date the resignation letter is submitted to the secretary of state’s office.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly carried this district with about 49% of the vote last year when she was reelected compared to about 48% for Republican Attorney General Derek Schmidt.
Independent conservative state Sen. Dennis Pyle won about 2% of the vote here.
The Value Them Both abortion amendment lost in this district with just about 43% of the vote.
About 49% of House District 50 is made up of Republican voters and about 23% of the voters are Democrats. About 28% of the district voters are unaffiliated.
