Gov. Laura Kelly today announced her appointment of Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers as the new Kansas state treasurer.
Rogers will replace Jake LaTurner, who won election to a congressional seat in the 2nd District. Congressman-elect LaTurner takes office in January.
Gov. Kelly said Rogers will be sworn in as treasurer on Jan. 2. The treasurer’s term ends in January 2023.
“Lynn is uniquely qualified to serve as the Kansas state treasurer,” Gov. Kelly said. “He has over 40 years of experience as a banker – both in urban and rural areas alike. I’m grateful for his service in my administration, and I have no doubt he will keep doing great things for the people of Kansas in his new role.”
The governor said she will appoint a new lieutenant governor next week. She did not release the appointee’s name.
At a news conference Thursday, Gov. Kelly said Rogers spent his whole career in banking, mostly assisting farmers and ranchers. In the Kansas Senate and as lieutenant governor, he went on listening tours throughout the state to hear the concerns of residents. Rogers also previously served on the Wichita school board for a number of years.
“It is an honor to accept the position of Kansas State Treasurer,” Lt. Gov. Rogers said. “I spent my entire career in banking and bring to this position more than 40 years of experience working in all aspects of the industry. I look forward to applying all of this experience to helping protect the financial interests of Kansans.”
Ex-Gov. Jeff Colyer, a Republican, sent out a Tweet that Gov. Kelly ignored the will of the majority of the state’s voters and made a partisan appointment. He stated that she substituted her partisan preference for the votes of hundreds of thousands of Kansans who opted for Republican leadership.
Gov. Kelly responded at the news conference that the people of Kansas had elected Rogers to be lieutenant governor, so they like him, and there will be an election two years from now for the office if Rogers wants to continue as treasurer.
“I have no doubt he will do a stellar job,” she said.
