The end of the 2024 legislative session means the end of the road for two men representing Lyon County.
Jeff Longbine has represented the Senate’s 17th District the last 14 years. In his farewell speech, he left the body with some of his favorite sayings:
Longbine thanked his family for letting him serve the district and the state, as well as his Senate colleagues – including Senate President Ty Masterson, whom Longbine said was a competitor for the president’s chair and upheld an agreement not to punish Longbine for being a candidate for that role. Longbine also thanked legislative staff for their work. He urged continuing Senators to serve as mentors for incoming lawmakers and told them to worry more about decorum and process than ideology when crafting laws.
Also retiring is House 76th District Representative Eric Smith, who has served the district the past eight years. Earlier on KVOE’s Morning Show, Smith says he enjoyed serving the district.
Longbine returns to his business focus of running Longbine Auto Plaza, while Smith maintains his position as Coffey County Undersheriff.
Two Republicans, Mike Argabright and David Schneider, and Democrat Lillian Lingenfelter have filed to fill Longbine’s seat. Republican Brad Barrett is running unopposed for Smith’s position.
