Republican state Rep. Paul Waggoner of Hutchinson has become the latest incumbent not to seek reelection this year.
Waggoner unexpectedly announced Friday morning that he would not run again for the 104th House District seat that he has represented since 2019.
“It has been a genuine honor to serve the people of the 104th District and to be their voice in Topeka these past 8 years,” the Hutchinson lawmaker said in a statement.
“Their willingness to repeatedly send me back to the Capitol in ever increasing margins of victory is humbling.
“As a native son of the 104th District, I knew instinctively that a common sense conservative on both fiscal and social issues is the true political heart of this district,” he said.
“My decision is driven by growing personal and professional needs but I plan on remaining active in politics.
“I have been asked repeatedly to help with political issues at the local level.
“I will also be working to insure we have a Republican residing at Cedar Crest in 2027 and that the voters, rather than the political insiders, will be deciding all future members of the Kansas Supreme Court.”
Waggoner had filed to run again with the secretary of state’s office, but plans to withdraw. It’s not immediately clear who might run to replace him.
Waggoner was first elected in 2018 when he defeated moderate Republican Steve Becker in the Republican primary by nine votes.
Waggoner most recently served as vice chair of the House Committee on Elections.
He also served as a member of the House Federal and State Affairs Committee, the Higher Education Budget Committee, the Insurance Committee, and the Administrative Rules and Regulations Committee.
Waggoner had raised $6,950 last year and hand $10,566 in cash on hand at the end of last year.
President Donald Trump won 66.8% of the vote in this district in 2024. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris won 31.4% of the vote here.
Republican Derek Schmidt won 55% of the vote in this district in the 2022 governor’s race, while Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly received 42% of the vote.
Waggoner is the latest lawmaker to announce plans to not seek reelection.
Among those who are leaving the House are Speaker Dan Hawkins of Wichita who is running for insurance commissioner, as well as Reps. Pat Proctor of Leavenworth and Ken Rahjes of Agra, who are running for secretary of state.
Other lawmakers leaving the House include Will Carpenter of El Dorado, Dan Goddard of Parsons, Doug Blex of Independence, Rick Wilborn of McPherson and Ron Ellis of Meriden.
