Former Kansas secretary of state Kris Kobach has been eyeing a potential run for attorney general for some time, and he made it official Thursday.
Kobach served as secretary of state from 2011-2019. He gained the Republican nomination for governor in 2018 but lost to Democrat Laura Kelly. He also ran for US Senate but lost the Republican nomination to current Senator Roger Marshall.
Kobach’s time as secretary of state was marked by an extended legal fight over voter fraud. The state law championed by Kobach was later ruled unconstitutional and Kobach was found in contempt of court for disregarding a court order as part of that dispute.
The Kansas Chamber of Commerce typically supports conservative political efforts, but it expressed “great concerns” about whether Kobach can represent Kansas businesses and people in court. The Chamber says Kobach’s run for attorney general “puts too much at risk.”
Kobach is hoping to supplant fellow Republican Derek Schmidt, who is seeking the governor’s chair after two terms in office. So far, no other candidates — Republican or Democrat — have filed for the office. The filing deadline is noon June 1.
