© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Democratic Senator Criticizes Kan. Regents Appointments

A Democratic state senator from Topeka says Gov. Sam Brownback is packing the Kansas Board of Regents with too many Republicans.

State law requires that no more than five of the nine regents belong to the same political party. The senator says Brownback's recent appointments violate the spirit of that law.

Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley said this week that the governor is skirting the rules because one of the new appointees changed his registration from Republican to unaffiliated in February.

Brownback says Hensley’s criticism is not accurate.

“Well, there have been a number of people who have switched parties in the state of Kansas over time. And I guess at any time you could claim that," says Brownback. "But I think these nominees are qualified. I think they meet the requirements. I think they’re going to do an excellent job as regents.”

The regent in question is Shane Bangerter, an attorney from Dodge City. At a confirmation hearing this week he said the governor’s office did not ask him to change his party affiliation.

Bangerter says he has not been active in the Republican Party for several years. Bangerter and two other appointees were confirmed this week.

As the Kansas News Service managing editor, I help our statewide team of reporters find the important issues and breaking news that impact people statewide. We refine our daily stories to illustrate the issues and events that affect the health, well-being and economic stability of the people of Kansas. Email me at skoranda@kcur.org.
KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and award-winning podcasts.
Your donation helps keep nonprofit journalism free and available for everyone.