(UPDATED to correct that Ruiz would be the 14th House member to leave)
Democratic state Rep. Louis Ruiz of Kansas City is not planning to seek re-election after serving more than 20 years in the Kansas House.
Ruiz’s decision not run for a 12th term was first reported this week by Kansas City Hispanic News. He could not be reached for comment, but a spokesperson for the House Democrats confirmed the report.
He is now the 14th House member who is not returning to the House next year. He took office in 2005.
“There are still things I want to do (regarding) my wife’s health, be able to travel, see the grandkids and go places and just enjoy,” Ruiz told the newspaper.
“I’ve been here 22 years and there are different things that I felt I’m not accomplishing.
“It’s time to let the younger people have it, because it’s changed so much (in Topeka). It’s not a fun place to be anymore — a lot of hatefulness, a lot of racism since we’ve been in this new administration.”
Two Democratic candidates – Christian Ramirez and Eli Woody of Kansas City – have filed to run for the House District 31 seat that Ruiz now represents.
Ramirez is now a commissioner for the Unified Government of Kansas City.
A couple years ago, Woody started started out running for Congress but withdrew to run in House District 33.
He lost with about 43% to Republican state Rep. Mike Thompson, who has since retired from the Legislature.
Woody has worked for the National Speech & Debate Association as tournament services coordinator and diversity, equity and inclusion coordinator.
He also was an assistant debate coach at Topeka High School. Ramirez is a UG commissioner.
In discussing his legislative career with the Hispanic News, Ruiz said one of biggest accomplishment was passing Adrian’s Law following the death of Adrian Jones, a seven-year-old boy tortured to death by his father and stepmother in 2015.
The law requires the Kansas Department for Children and Families or a representative of a law enforcement agency investigating a report of abuse to visually observe and interact with children alleged to be victims of abuse and neglect.
Already 13 House members have announced their intentions not seek re-election, including state Democratic state Rep. KC Ohaebosim, who is running for lieutenant governor on a ticket with gubernatorial candidate Cindy Holscher.
Last week, state Rep., Brad Barrett of Osage City withdrew his candidacy in House District 76 so he could focus more on his law enforcement career.
He follows Democratic state Rep. Lindsay Vaughn of Overland Park, who announced Monday she would not run for a fourth term this year.
Reed Krewson, the president of Kansas Young Democrats, has filed to run for Vaughn’s seat.
Republican state Rep. Angel Roeser announced last week she would not run again in House District 67.
Brenda Bandy, co-founder and executive director of the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition, filed as a Democrat for the House District 67 seat.
Meanwhile, Stacy Kohlmeier, a recently retired business leader from the Florence Corp., has filed to run as a Republican for the District 67 seat as well.
Republican state Rep. Paul Waggoner of Hutchison also announced that he would not seek reelection.
Reno County Commissioner Randy Parks has filed to run for the seat as a Republican.
Among those also 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.
