An assortment of news tidbits to fill you in on this Thursday, with Democratic state Sen. Marci Francisco of Lawrence changing her plans to run for secretary of state and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Svaty grabbing headlines out west as he introduces his running mate to the state’s electorate.
Francisco changes election plans
Democratic state Sen. Marci Francisco suddenly shifted gears Thursday, deciding to run for state treasurer after previously announcing she was running for secretary of state.
The Lawrence senator’s decision now leaves the Democrats without a candidate for two statewide offices – attorney general and insurance commissioner.
Francisco would have given the Democrats a primary in the secretary of state’s race, where former Google and Uber executive Brian McClendon is running.
The Republican primary for the secretary of state is already brimming candidates, including state Reps. Scott Schwab, Keith Esau and Craig McCullah, former deputy assistant in the secretary of state’s office. Former secretary of administration Dennis Taylor is also running for secretary of state as well.
Francisco said she was asked by the state Democratic Party chairman to run for treasurer, a position now held by former Republican state Sen. Jacob LaTurner, who was appointed to the position last year.
LaTurner had about $109,000 in the bank at the end of 2017. Francisco had about $10,000 on hand at the end of 2017 for her secretary of state race.
Confident that McClendon will work to protect every Kansan’s right to vote as secretary of state, Francisco said she is excited to turn her energy to running for state treasurer.
“It will be an honor to campaign with all the impressive Democratic Party candidates running for office this cycle,” Francisco said.
“Kansans have significant opportunities in the upcoming elections to bring fiscal health back to Kansas,” she said. “With a governor who has the right priorities, fiscally responsible statewide officials and sensible legislators all working together to restore solvency, things can get better.”
Svaty & marijuana
During a campaign swing through Wichita Thursday, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Svaty said as governor he would be amenable to signing legislation that eliminates the criminal penalties for possessing marijuana. Here’s the Eagle’s report from Svaty’s campaign stop where he introduced his new running mate, Katrina Lewison.
Changes at Kansans for Life
Looks like there’s a change at the top for Kansans for Life, one of the state’s most influential political organizations. Former Republican state Rep. Joe Patton has stepped down as the organization’s president. He will be replaced on an interim basis by Vice President Mary Wilkinson. Patton had been president for about 18 months. 
Patton will continue as a volunteer to organize a coalition to lead the statewide effort to pass a constitutional amendment to give the Legislature control over decisions about abortion rights. “I have enjoyed working with KFL and am honored to have served the pro-life community as president during this time of transition with the passing of a great pro-life leader, David Gittrich,” Patton said in a statement referring to the former KFL leader.
Tuition increases
The state’s universities are looking to raise tuition just after the Legislature appropriated $18 million more for higher education. Here are dispatches from the Kansas City Star, Kansas News Service and the Lawrence Journal-World. Also, here’s the complete report on the proposed tuition hikes from the Kansas Board of Regents.
