Republican state Rep. Larry Hibbard announced Tuesday he was retiring from the Kansas House because of health reasons.
Hibbard, 74, sent out a newsletter to his constituents telling them he had sent a letter to the secretary of state announcing his plans to retire effective Saturday.
“This has been a very difficult decision for me to make and was spurred on by some health problems that I have been dealing with for the last 14 months,” Hibbard wrote.
After a battery of tests, Hibbard said he had been diagnosed with “chronic hives.” He said it causes him to break out with a “very uncomfortable” rash, brought on by stress.
“Hopefully, by stepping away from my obligations in Topeka will help that greatly,” he wrote.
“I feel strongly that I am leaving the state in much better shape than what it was seven years ago,” Hibbard wrote.
“We solved the legal problems related to school funding, we have a balanced budget with a good carryover, the state’s credit rating is improving, and we have started to address our problems in corrections and foster care services.
“Unfortunately, you do not get done everything you want to do and not getting horse racing back in Kansas or the reopening of the Toronto Honor Camp are two things that really frustrate me,” he wrote.
The Toronto Republican was in his fourth term representing District 13, which covers Elk, Greenwood, Wilson and Woodson counties in the southeastern area of the state.
He was unopposed in last year’s general election. He defeated Londa Tindle in the Republican primary with 55% of the vote.
The district is decidedly conservative, going for President Donald Trump in 2016, former Gov. Sam Brownback in 2014 and Mitt Romey in 2012.
“It is my hope that whoever replaces me will put the needs and desires of the people in the 13th District ahead of their own personal agenda,” he wrote.
