Democrats have found someone to replace state Rep. Dave Benson, who abruptly resigned about a week ago to move out of state.
On Sunday, Democratic precinct committee members picked Jennifer Day to fill the House District 48 seat left open with Benson’s resignation.
Day, who is expected to file to run for the seat this year, operates a real estate investment business with her husband, Jesse.
Day is a precinct committee woman and describes herself as an advocate for fair elections. She is a member of Moms Demand Action, the League of Women Voters, and the National Organization of Women.
“Serving our community and district has been my highest priority for the last several years,” Day said in a statement.
“This is an incredible opportunity to take the next step up and accomplish even more for the people of the 48th.”
She has a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Pepperdine University.
Day replaces Benson, who a source said resigned his seat to move to the Virgin Islands.
If she files for the office as expected, she would face Republican Overland Park accountant Terry Frederick.
Frederick, a former Prairie Village City Council member, lost his seat on the Water District No. 1 board last year.
Frederick owns his own business and partners with Barnwell Consulting as an accountant and business tax consultant.
He also worked as a director of state and local corporate tax for Sprint from 1999 to 2016. He was with the company for almost 27 years.
House District 48 covers a swath of Overland Park south of the Interstate 435 loop.
The district has leaned Republican over the years, going for President Donald Trump with 49% of the vote in 2016, former Gov. Sam Brownback with 53% in 2014 and presidential candidate Mitt Romney with about 63% of the vote in 2012.
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly carried the district by about 15 percentage points over Kris Kobach in 2018.
Benson, however, underpeformed the governor, winning his race by just 82 votes over Republican incumbent Abraham Rafie.
