Mike Brown (Kansas politician)
Mike Brown | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the Kansas Republican Party | |
| Assumed office February 11, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Kuckelman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1967 or 1968 (age 55–56) Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Kristi Brown |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Johnson County Community College Kansas State University |
| Website | Campaign website |
Mike Brown (born 1967/1968)[1] is an American politician from Kansas who is currently serving as the Chairman of the Kansas Republican Party.[2] In 2022, he challenged incumbent Scott Schwab in that year's Kansas Secretary of State election.
Early life
Brown is a 6th generation Kansan, born and raised in the Kansas City metro area.[citation needed] He graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School as part of the class of 1987. Brown has worked in construction since high school, opening his own home building firm in 1990 and working as a general contractor.[3]
Political career
Early career
Brown started his political career volunteering for Tim Shallenburger's unsuccessful 2002 bid for governor and two local county commissioner campaigns in 2004 and 2008.[citation needed] In 2017, Mike ran for Johnson County Commissioner himself and was elected. He served in this office until 2021, when he was defeated by Democrat Shirley Allenbrand. He has also served in a series of other Kansas roles including Johnson County's Parks and Recreation commissioner, member of the Kansas State Workforce Development Board, the Kansas Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Homebuilders’ Association of Greater Kansas City. [3][2]
Secretary of State bid
In the 2022 Kansas Secretary of State election, Brown challenged incumbent Secretary of State of Kansas, Scott Schwab, claiming that Schwab was a part of the Republican establishment.[citation needed] Brown's campaign was based on “Election Integrity First” [4] and lost with 44.76% to Schwab's 55.24%.[4][5][2]
KSGOP Party Chairman
Mike Brown was elected Kansas GOP Party Chairman in 2022 against Helen Van Etten, a long-time Kansas GOP leader, by a two vote margin.[6] Under Brown's leadership of the KS GOP, on March 11, 2024, an event was held in Brown's home county where attendees paid money to beat an effigy of Joe Biden. This renewed calls for him to be removed as party chairman.[7]
Personal life
Brown is married to Kristi Brown who serves as the Kansas State Director of the Trump 2024 campaign.[citation needed] The couple live in Overland Park, Kansas and have 5 grown children. [3]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Scott Schwab (incumbent) | 245,998 | 55.24% | |
| Republican | Mike Brown | 199,316 | 44.76% | |
| Total votes | 445,314 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Brown | 90 | 50.56% | |
| Republican | Helen Van Etten | 88 | 49.16% | |
| Total votes | 178 | 100% | ||
References
- ^ https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/community/johnson-county/article109042797.html
- ^ a b c HANNA, JOHN. "Kansas GOP picks election conspiracy promoter as new leader". Associated Press. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ a b c Brown, Mike. "Meet Mike Brown". mikebrownforkansas.com. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ a b Bahl, Andrew (December 7, 2021). "Johnson County lawmaker Mike Brown runs for Kansas secretary of state". www.cjonline.co. The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
- ^ Cooper, Brad. "UPDATED: A political return for Mike Brown?". Sunflower State Journal. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ^ "Amid tensions, Kansas Republican Party departs from status quo to tap Mike Brown as chair". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ Robertson, Nick (March 11, 2024). "Biden effigy beaten at GOP event in Kansas; ex-official calls for resignations". The Hill. Retrieved March 26, 2024.