In a widely anticipated decision, Democratic state Rep. Stephanie Clayton announced Friday morning she intends to run for the state Senate seat now held by Barbara Bollier.
Clayton announced she was running for the District 7 seat, setting up a primary against Ethan Corson, the former executive director of the Kansas Democratic Party. The winner might face a general election campaign against former Mission Mayor Laura McConwell.
“It has been an honor to serve northeast Johnson County in the Kansas House for the past seven years,” Clayton said in a statement.
“Now, with encouragement from area supporters and fellow colleagues, I am excited to announce my bid for the Kansas Senate.”
Clayton’s announcement comes less than a year after she left the Republican Party, saying the GOP no longer represented the interests of her district.
The four-term lawmaker touted her efforts advocating for more government transparency and reversing former Gov. Sam Brownback’s tax cuts, which were blamed for blowing holes in the state budget.
“The 7th District is comprised of one of the most educated, active, and engaged communities in Kansas, who require a high level of service, communication, and collaboration, all of which I will continue to deliver,” Clayton said. “I look forward to earning their trust and their votes for this new position.”
Clayton has been considering a Senate campaign for weeks as first reported here last month.
Corson subtly noted a difference with Clayton, emphasizing his years of working for the Democratic Party, including President Obama’s administration and efforts to elect Laura Kelly governor and Sharice Davids to Congress.
“I’m excited to start knocking on doors in January and talking to voters about my nearly 20 years of serving the Democratic Party and fighting for progressive causes,” Corson said.
“I’ve worked for President Barack Obama and Senator Claire McCaskill, cut my teeth in politics as a lawyer fighting for the voting
rights of minorities, college students, and the elderly,” he said.
Clayton now represents 18 of the 76 precincts that are in Senate District 7.
Senate District 7 is in the heart of the Democratic territory in northeastern Johnson County. Many of the county’s Democratic House members live in this part of the county.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly defeated Republican Kris Kobach by about 39 percentage points in this district last year, and Democratic Congresswoman Sharice Davids beat Kevin Yoder by 28 percentage points.
