Gov. Laura Kelly’s nominee for Kansas wildlife secretary whipped out of a Senate committee on Monday in just minutes after undergoing intense questioning a week earlier.
The Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee sent Christopher Kennedy’s nomination to lead the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks to the full Senate after he answered some follow-up questions after last week’s hearing.
Action was delayed last week after about a 45-minute hearing to allow for more time to address questions that were answered in writing.
With no further in-person questions Monday, Senate President Ty Masterson motioned to confirm Kennedy as acting secretary until his nomination can be acted on by the full Senate next year.
Last week, Kennedy was peppered with a range of questions about relocating employees, managing the state’s deer population, new regulations for fire extinguishers on boats and the use of eminent domain.
Kennedy came to Kansas from the Missouri Department of Conservation, where he was the assistant director for diversity and inclusion.
He also worked as the agency’s regional fisheries supervisor from 2007 to 2020 and as a fisheries biologist from 1996 to 2008.
He has a bachelor’s in fisheries biology from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Kennedy’s chief accomplishments included researching, managing and restoring aquatic species such as alligator gar.
He also developed opportunities for Missouri’s youth to work with professionals to better manage public resources.
Kennedy has also been a guest on the National Geographic Channel’s “Monster Fish” and Animal Planet’s “River Monsters” on episodes featuring the alligator gar.
