Another former GOP governor of Kansas has endorsed Senator Laura Kelly’s campaign.
Mike Hayden, governor from 1987 to 1991, announced his support for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate on Wednesday. In addition to serving as governor, Hayden was previously the Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives as well as Kansas Secretary of Wildlife and Parks for both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Hayden joins a host of other current and former Republican leaders endorsing Kelly for governor. Others include former Governor Bill Graves, former Lt. Gov. Sheila Frahm, former Lt. Gov Garry Sherrer, former Senate Presidents Dick Bond and Dave Kerr, former Kansas Senate Majority Leader Lana Oleen — who represented senate district 22 which includes much of Manhattan– former Speaker of the House Robert H. Miller and former Senate Majority Leader Fred Kerr. Kelly’s campaign has posted a full list on her website.
Kelly said in a statement that she is “honored” to have Hayden’s support and that he has always worked to “put the best interests of our state first.
“I’m honored to have the support of these dedicated public servants,” Kelly said in her statement. “I’ve always believed that we get things done by bringing people together. That’s been my approach in the state Senate and that will be my approach as governor. Together, we will get our state back on track.”
Hayden, a Republican for 50 years, said in his own statement that he rarely votes for Democratic candidates but that this year “the stakes are too high” and that the state needs to put the “Brownback experiment” in the rear view mirror.
“After eight years of crisis, we cannot elect someone who wants to repeat the disasters of the past,” Hayden said. “Kris Kobach has promised to do just that – risking the future of our great state.”
Hayden commented on Kelly’s bipartisan approach to politics, saying they have worked together on numerous projects and that she “always puts our kids and families first and not politics.”
“Our state faces many challenges and I trust Senator Kelly to use her good common sense to help resolve complex issues,” said Hayden.
