The Kansas Democratic Party on Friday announced the passing of Dan Lykins, a longtime party leader who help organize Kansas presidential campaigns from Bobby Kennedy to Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton. He was 75.
He served as treasurer of the Kansas Democratic Party from 1991 to 2010 and chaired the Clinton-Gore and Hillary Clinton Kansas campaigns, according to a biography compiled by the Kansas Historical Society.
Lykins ran unsuccessfully for several offices including state senator, Kansas attorney general, and U. S. Congress from the 2nd District.
“Very sad to hear the news of Dan Lykins passing today. Anyone who knew Dan, knew what a great guy he was. He was also a huge K-state fan and former member of the Kansas Board of Regents,” House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer said in a post on Facebook Friday.
“What a lot of people probably do not remember is that in 1998, the same year I ran again Fred Phelps, Sr. for governor, Dan ran against Fred Phelps Jr. for attorney general. Both of us doing our parts to keep bigotry and hate off the general election ballot,” Sawyer wrote.
After the 1998 elections, Sawyer served as Democratic Party chair while Lykins served as state party treasurer.
“Dan’s activism went way back including knowing both Robert and Ted Kennedy,” Sawyer wrote.
“In recent years, he had been fighting a long battle with cancer. One that he had seemed to be winning a lot. He will be missed. RIP Dan Lykins.”
As a student at Kansas State University, Lykins was a member of Collegians For Robert Kennedy.
During 1967 and 1968, Lykins campaigned and helped organize college students for Robert Kennedy in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oregon.
He attended the 1968 Democratic National Democtaric Convention in Chicago.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, he campaigned and worked for former Gov. Robert Docking.
A native of Atchison, Lykins attended Kansas State University and Washburn Law School.
He later became a staff attorney for the State Highway Commission and in 1973 he entered into private practice starting the firm Clark & Lykins, according to the Historical Society.
In 1976 he joined Schroer, Rice Bryan & Lykins, and later formed Bryan, Lykins & Hejtmanek.
A Topeka lawyer who tried more than 90 criminal and civil jury cases, Lykins’ practice centered on personal injury claims, motor vehicle claims, product liability claims and wrongful death claims.
“The Kansas Democratic Party is deeply saddened by the passing of Dan Lykins – a longtime Democrat and champion for all Kansans,” the party said in announcing Lykins’ death.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones during this time. May he rest in peace.”
Here’s a video from Lykins’ 2002 congressional debate with Jim Ryun courtesy of Washburn University political scientist Bob Beatty.
