Veteran Democratic state Sen. Marci Francisco is entering the race to replace Anthony Hensley as the top Democrat in the Kansas Senate.
Francisco, who represents Lawrence, sent out a letter Tuesday afternoon announcing her candidacy for minority leader, a position Hensley has held more than 20 years.
Her announcement sets up a race with Democratic Sen. Dinah Sykes of Lenexa, who also has announced she is running for the position.
Democratic Sen. Tom Holland of Baldwin City also has been mentioned as a candidate for the post but has not yet signaled his intentions.
“I am confident I would serve our caucus well as the Senate minority leader,” Francisco said in her in letter.
“The relationships I have forged during my time in the Legislature afford me a level of credibility and trust throughout the statehouse,” she said.
“Those relationships will be pivotal to the Senate minority Leader while serving as our spokesperson, representing our caucus in joint leadership meetings, and in communications with the governor’s office,” she said.
Francisco is about to start her fifth term in the Kansas Legislature after first being elected in 2004.
She served on the Lawrence City Commission from 1979 to 1983 and as mayor of Lawrence from 1981 to 1983.
She ran unsuccessfully for Kansas treasurer against Republican Jake LaTurner in 2018.
In her letter, Francisco acknowledged the daunting task ahead for Democrats who will face a 29-member Republican caucus in the Senate that is mostly conservative.
“I agree that the task ahead will be a challenge,” Francisco wrote. “I am prepared to work with all of you to organize and evolve our caucus, so that we might rise to that challenge and make the most of our efforts.
“I am prepared to work with all of you to organize and evolve our caucus, so that we might rise to that challenge and make the most of our efforts.”
