Democratic state Sen. Mary Ware of Wichita on Thursday announced she’s immediately resigning her seat in the state Senate after serving in the chamber since 2019.
“Serving our state and representing the 25th District has been an incredible privilege,” Ware said in a statement.
“I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by my constituents and for the opportunity to work on meaningful legislation,” Ware said.
“While my time in the Senate is at an end, I will remain an involved private citizen and an advocate for the people of Wichita in this next era of my life.”
Ware started in the Senate after she won a precinct committee election in late 2018 to fill the District 25 seat that came open when Lynn Rogers was elected lieutenant governor on a ticket with Gov. Laura Kelly.
In the 2018 precinct committee election, Ware defeated Kelly Schodorf, the daughter of former state Sen. Jean Schodorf. She also beat out Sebastian Snow, educator Dan Stiffler and Ty Tabing.
Ware was elected to a full four-year term in 2020 when she defeated Republican Vail Freuchting with about 55% of the vote.
She was reelected in 2024, defeating Republican challenger Keenen Smith with about 57% of the vote.
Ware’s departure leaves an opening for a Democrat on the Senate commerce and agriculture committees where she now serves as the ranking member.
“The residents of the 25th Senate District should count themselves lucky to have had a leader like Mary Ware representing them the past seven years,” said Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes.
“Mary has been focused on creating a full and safe future for our children since joining the Senate,” Sykes said in a statement.
“Her commitment to collaboration and progress have made our team stronger. We will miss her dynamic and compassionate leadership,” she said.
Democratic precinct committee leaders have 21 days to pick a new senator from the date she submitted her resignation letter to the secretary of state.
Democrat Kamala Harris carried this district with about 56% of the vote in 2024.
And Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly won here with about 64% of the vote in 2022.
