Former US Attorney for Kansas Barry Grissom has announced a decision expected for months: he’s running for the US Senate seat opening up when current Senator Pat Roberts retires.
Grissom, a Democrat, graduated from the University of Kansas and received his law degree from Oklahoma City University. He also had a private practice before being unanimously confirmed as US Attorney in 2010. He served in that capacity until 2016. Grissom is now senior vice president and corporate counsel for Electrum Partners, a company specializing in legal marijuana.
For months, Grissom was considered the main Democratic candidate for Roberts’ seat. Now former Congresswoman Nancy Boyda is running and state senator Barbara Bollier is also considering a run.
Several prominent Republicans have either said they are considering a run or are looked upon by statewide political experts as potential candidates, including former Governor Jeff Colyer, former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, current US Congressman Roger Marshall, current Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt and current Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle. Current State Treasurer Jake LaTurner has already started his campaign for the office, although he has not filed campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State’s Office, according to the current candidate list. Also campaigning now is former Kansas City Chief Dave Lindstrom.
Roberts retires next year.
