Democrat Sawyer steps away from leadership post; Hawkins seeks job of Kansas House speaker

by Tim Carpenter, Kansas Reflector

Topeka — Kansas House Democratic leader Tom Sawyer, first elected to the Legislature in 1986, said Tuesday he didn’t intend to seek the leadership job entering the 2023 session.

The announcement that Sawyer would step aside but remain in the House followed decisions by House Speaker Ron Ryckman and House Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch, both Republicans, not to seek reelection in 2022. House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, who was reelected, is expected to be chosen by peers to serve as House speaker for the two-year legislative cycle.

Sawyer, of Wichita, was House majority leader from 1991 to 1992, House minority leader from 1993 to 1998 and House minority leader since 2018. His final day in that role would be Jan. 9.

“Upon deep reflection, I believe it is time for me to step back and allow the caucus to have a new leader who will lead us and Kansans towards achieving these important goals,” Sawyer said. “It has been an honor of a lifetime to be entrusted with the responsibility to lead our caucus over the many years.”

Voting in the August primary and November general election left House Republicans with a two-thirds majority important when considering vetoes of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Democrats gained one seat to bring the caucus to 40 in the 125-member House. Democrats fell two seats short of breaking the GOP supermajority and offer more assistance to Kelly during her second term.

Sawyer, who ran for governor in 1998 and served four years as chairman of the Kansas Democratic Part, said he expected Democrats to expand their numbers in the House.

“This growth, which I hope to see continue in the coming years, will strengthen our position to advocate strongly for the issues that matter most to Kansans, such as tax relief, expanding Medicaid, fully funding public education including special education and legalizing medicinal marijuana,” he said.

Hawkins, who has served in the House since 2013, outlined in a letter to House Republicans a critique of the governor. He said Kelly botched handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowed crime and inflation to rise and made anti-abortion policy an “afterthought.”

Individuals elected in November to serve in the 2023 Legislature will vote Dec. 5 on nominees for House speaker, House majority leader and House speaker pro tem as well as the top Democratic posts in the chamber.

Kansas Reflector stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

See more at https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/democrat-sawyer-steps-away-from-leadership-post-hawkins-seeks-job-of-house-speaker/

Today’s high near 57, drizzle possible tonight

Temperatures will be above normal again today, according to the National Weather Service.

Light rain or drizzle will move into Wyandotte County Wednesday night through Thanksgiving Day, the weather service said. Temperatures may reach a high of 52.

Heavier precipitation is likely Saturday across the southern part of the area, according to the weather service.

Today, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 57 and a south wind of 8 to 11 mph, gusting as high as 20 mph, the weather service said.

Tonight, there is a 30 percent chance of drizzle before midnight, then a chance of rain after midnight, according to the weather service. The low will be around 47 with a south wind of 3 to 8 mph. Winds may gust up to 18 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of precipitation is possible.

On Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, there is a 20 percent chance of drizzle before noon, then a slight chance of rain after noon. The high will be near 2 with a light and variable wind becoming north northwest 6 to 11 mph in the afternoon. Winds may gust as high as 20 mph.

Thursday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 32 and a north wind of 9 to 11 mph, gusting as high as 21 mph, according to the weather service.

Friday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 48 and a north wind of 6 to 10 mph, the weather service said.

Friday night, there is a 30 percent slight chance of rain before 9 p.m., then a chance of rain and snow, according to the weather service. The low will be around 32.

Saturday, there is a 60 percent chance of rain, mainly after noon, the weather service said. The high will be near 47.

Saturday night, there is a 40 percent chance of rain before midnight, with a low of 32, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be sunny, with a high near 48, the weather service said.

Sunday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 31, according to the weather service.

Monday, it will be sunny, with a high near 51, the weather service said.

Monday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 38, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 58, the weather service said.

Sheriff investigating dead body in Wyandotte County Lake

The Wyandotte County Sheriff’s office is investigating a deceased body found in Wyandotte County Lake, according to a sheriff’s office spokesman.

At 12:50 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, deputies were sent to Wyandotte County Lake near 91st and Leavenworth Road in Kansas City, Kansas, on a report of a dead body in the lake.

The body of an adult black male was recovered, the spokesman stated.

The Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit is investigating the death.

Anyone with additional information on the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS, the spokesman stated. All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward, according to the spokesman.