TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas state Sen. John Vratil says he’s not running for re-election this year, a decision that will leave moderate Republicans in the Legislature without one of their most visible leaders.
The 66-year-old attorney from Leawood said Friday he wants to spend more time with his family. He has served in the Senate since 1998, and has been the chamber’s vice president since 2003.
Vratil has also chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee.
He has sparred frequently with GOP conservatives on budget, tax and social issues, and had been among the moderate incumbents targeted by conservatives for this year’s Republican Senate primaries.
Vratil endorsed Rep. Pat Colloton, a fellow GOP moderate from Leawood, as his Senate successor. Political redistricting put Colloton in the same House district as another GOP incumbent.
