Derek Schmidt

Schmidt graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor's degree in 1990, received a master's degree in international politics from the University of Leicester in England, and received his J.D. degree from the Georgetown University Law Center.{{cite press release |url=http://archive.news.ku.edu/2006/january/26/simons.shtml |title=Hall Center selects state Sen. Derek Schmidt as first Simons Fellow|date=January 26, 2006|publisher=University of Kansas Hall Center for the Humanities}} Schmidt was then a legislative assistant to Republican U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas, an assistant Kansas attorney general and special counsel to Governor Bill Graves.

Schmidt was elected to the Kansas Senate in 2000.Tim Carpenter, [https://www.cjonline.com/article/20101102/NEWS/311029767 Schmidt ousts Six in AG race], Topeka Capital-Journal (November 2, 2010). In 2004, Schmidt was elected the Senate majority leader, holding this post through 2010.[https://www.morningsun.net/x1384142511/House-majority-leader-elected-to-Kansas-Senate House majority leader elected to Kansas Senate]{{Dead link|date=January 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Morning Sun (November 27, 2010).

During his time in the Kansas Senate, Schmidt sponsored an unsuccessful proposal to repeal the state's ban on for-profit prisons. Schmidt was a supporter of the highly popular Kansas version of Jessica's Law, but "almost single-handedly killed the final bill by demanding inclusion of a provision allowing private prisons in Kansas" as the town of Yates Center, in Schmidt's district, sought to bring a private prison to the town.Carpenter, Tim. [https://www.cjonline.com/article/20101021/NEWS/310219692 "AG Nominees Tangle on Records"] Topeka Capital-Journal. October 21, 2010.

According to OpenSecrets, top contributors to Schmidt's campaigns included the Community Bankers Association, AT&T, the Kansas Association of Realtors, the Kansas Optometric Association, Cox Enterprises, Koch Industries, Monsanto, the Kansas Wine & Spirits Wholesalers Association, the Associated General Contractors of Kansas, Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, and Sprint.[https://www.followthemoney.org/entity-details?eid=8954289 Derek Larkin Schmidt], OpenSecrets (last accessed September 19, 2020).

File:DOJ Elder Fraud Press Conference.jpg Jeff Sessions in 2018]]

Schmidt was the Republican nominee for Kansas Attorney General, defeating Ralph DeZago in the Republican primary election on August 3, 2010.{{cite web|title=2010 Primary Election Official Vote Totals |url=http://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/10elec/2010PrimaryOfficialResults.pdf|website=Kansas Secretary of State's Office |access-date=July 30, 2017}} He won the general election against the incumbent, Democrat Steve Six{{cite web|title=2010 General Election Results |url=http://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/10elec/2010_General_Election_Results.pdf |website=Kansas Secretary of State's Office|access-date=July 30, 2017}} and took office on January 10, 2011. A key issue in Schmidt's first campaign for attorney general was the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the health care reform law. Six chose not to join 25 other states in challenging the constitutionality of the ACA, while Schmidt pledged to join the lawsuit challenging the law, if elected.[https://www.khi.org/news/article/schmidts-pledge-join-health-reform-challenge-bolst/ Schmidt's pledge to join ACA challenge bolstered candidacy], Kansas Health Institute News Service (March 26, 2012).

Schmidt won re-election in 2014, defeating Democratic nominee A.J. Kotich, a labor lawyer and former chief attorney for the Kansas Department of Labor.Celia Llopis-Jepsen, [https://www.hutchnews.com/article/20151022/news/310229935 A.J. Kotich, labor attorney and former A.G. candidate, dies at 69], Topeka Capital-Journal (October 22, 2015).

In 2018, Schmidt defeated Democratic nominee Sarah G. Swain, winning election to a third term.Mark Davis, [https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article221147385.html Kansans vote Republican in state offices despite making Democrat Laura Kelly governor], Kansas City Star (November 6, 2018).

{{Further|COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas}}

In April 2020, Democratic governor Laura Kelly instituted orders to restrict the rapid spread of COVID-19 that limited public gatherings to a maximum of ten persons. As this would have applied to Easter Sunday celebrations in churches, the Republican-majority Legislative Coordinating Council reversed her order. Republican Schmidt also opposed Kelly's order, contending that it violated the Kansas Constitution and Kansas law. He issued a memo calling the order likely unconstitutional and urged law enforcement not to enforce it.[https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article241861126.html War over Easter: Kansas lawmakers revoke Gov. Kelly's order limiting church gatherings], Wichita Eagle, Jonathan Shorman, Amy Renee Leiker and Michael Stavola, April 8, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020. Of the first eleven loci of contagion in Kansas, three had already been traced to religious gatherings.[https://www.kansas.com/news/coronavirus/article241810656.html Kansas has 3 church-related COVID-19 clusters, state says amid scramble for supplies], Wichita Eagle, Jonathan Shorman, April 6, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020. The Kansas Supreme Court reinstated Kelly's orders on April 11, in expedited proceedings.[https://www.kmbc.com/article/kansas-supreme-court-says-executive-order-banning-religious-service-of-more-than-10-people-stands-governor-laura-kelly-covid-19-coronavirus/32114710# Kansas Supreme Court says executive order banning religious service of more than 10 people stands], KMBC, April 11, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020. A week later, in a separate case, U.S. District Judge John W. Broomes in Wichita issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of Kelly's order as to two churches (one in Junction City, the other in Dodge City), where the plaintiffs contended that the restriction violated religious freedom and free speech rights.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/2dc708f8d69d2671af2301d086043ccc|work=Associated Press|title=Judge doubts Kansas COVID-19 rule, blocks it for 2 churches|date=April 19, 2020|author=John Hanna}}Carylynn Stark & Jonathan Shorman, [https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article242300191.html Kansas governor to issue less restrictive coronavirus rules beginning May 4], Kansas City Star (April 25, 2020). That case became moot after Governor Kelly issued a new executive order with less restrictive COVID-19 rules effective on May 4, 2020, under an agreement that allowed the churches to hold larger in-person services but required social distancing. Schmidt and Republican officials acted to countermand the governor's orders concerning wearing masks and social distancing.[https://www.kansascity.com/news/coronavirus/article250365491.html GOP lawmakers repeal Kansas mask mandate, lawsuits expected against local orders], Kansas City Star, Katie Bernard and Jonathan Shorman, April 2, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that Kansas counties that had passed mask mandates experienced 500 fewer COVID-19 deaths than would have otherwise been expected in the absence of such restrictions.[https://www.kansas.com/article252331723.html New research: Kansas counties with mask mandates avoided 500 COVID-19 deaths], Kansas Reflector'', Tim Carpenter, June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.

As attorney general, Schmidt joined with other Republican state attorneys general in challenging federal regulatory actions adopted by the Obama administration that Schmidt contended were illegal federal overreach. Schmidt and his colleagues were successful in blocking many of these regulations, particularly those proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency.{{cite news|url=http://www.kansas.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article118567468.html|title=Rein in federal agencies and illegal regulations|last=Schmidt|first=Derek|date=December 5, 2016|work=Wichita Eagle|access-date=July 30, 2017|location=Wichita, Kansas}}{{cite news|url=http://kmuw.org/post/kansas-among-states-challenging-new-epa-regulations-oil-and-gas-industry|title=Kansas Among States Challenging New EPA Regulations on Oil and Gas Industry|last=Leblanc|first=Aileen|date=August 12, 2016|work=KMUW|access-date=July 30, 2017|location=Wichita, Kansas}}{{cite news|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-supreme-court-blocks-obama-s-clean-power-plan/|title=U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Obama's Clean Power Plan|last1=Hurley|first1=Lawrence|date=February 9, 2016|work=Scientific American|access-date=July 30, 2017|last2=Volcovici|first2=Valerie|location=New York, NY}} Kansas challenged Obama-era regulations on the oil and gas industry, including a regulation controlling emissions of the greenhouse gas methane; in 2015, Schmidt also joined Kansas in a suit challenging the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan.[https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article31097596.html Kansas joins lawsuit against the Clean Power Plan], [Wichita Eagle], August 14, 2015.] In the latter case, the Supreme Court issued in 2016 a stay of implementation in a 5–4 decision along ideological lines.

One of Schmidt's first acts as state attorney general was to add Kansas as a plaintiff to the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 in Florida v. United States Department of Health and Human Services; in a letter, Schmidt wrote that the ACA's individual mandate would "encroach on the sovereignty of the State of Kansas and on the rights of our citizens."{{cite news|first=Derek|last=Schmidt|title=Full text: Kansas Attorney General Schmidt's letter about health care reform |date=January 12, 2011 |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2011/01/12/full-text-kansas-attorney-general.html|work=Kansas City Business Journal |access-date=February 11, 2011}}{{cite news|first=David |last=Klepper|title=Kansas wants in on health care lawsuit|date=January 12, 2011 |url=https://www.kansascity.com/2011/01/12/2580237/kansas-wants-in-on-health-care.html|work=Kansas City Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115033321/https://www.kansascity.com/2011/01/12/2580237/kansas-wants-in-on-health-care.html|archive-date=January 15, 2011}} The U.S. Supreme Court, in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius (2012), ultimately upheld most of the ACA as constitutional, while striking down a portion of the law which would have required states to implement Medicaid expansion.Warren Richey, [https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2012/0628/How-John-Roberts-upheld-health-care-law-while-limiting-congressional-power-video/(page)/2 How John Roberts upheld health-care law while limiting congressional power], Christian Science Monitor (June 28, 2012).National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, 567 U.S. 519 (2012).{{cite journal |last1=Rosenbaum |first1=Sara |last2=Westmoreland |first2=Timothy |date=August 2012 |title=The Supreme Court's Surprising Decision On The Medicaid Expansion: How Will The Federal Government And States Proceed? |url=http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/31/8/1663.long |language=en |journal=Health Affairs |volume=31 |issue=8 |pages=1663–1672 |doi=10.1377/hlthaff.2012.0766 |pmid=22869643 |access-date=July 30, 2017|doi-access=free }}

In July 2017, Schmidt joined a group of eight other Republican state attorneys general, led by Ken Paxton of Texas, as well as Idaho Governor Butch Otter, in sending a letter to President Donald Trump saying that they would litigate if Trump did not terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy that had been put into place by the Obama administration. (One of the signatories, Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III, subsequently reversed his position and urged passage of the DREAM Act.)[https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/9/1/16243944/daca-tennessee-dream-act Tennessee's attorney general: I've changed my mind, DACA is good, pass the DREAM Act], Vox.com, Dara Linddara, September 1, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2017.[https://www.texastribune.org/2017/06/29/texas-leads-10-states-urging-trump-end-daca/ Texas leads 10 states in urging Trump to end Obama-era immigration program], Texas Tribune, Julián Aguilar, June 29, 2017. Retrieved September 2, 2017.[https://www.splcenter.org/news/2017/06/30/splc-denounces-letter-10-attorneys-general-seeking-%E2%80%98cruel-and-heartless%E2%80%99-repeal-daca SPLC denounces letter from 10 Attorneys General seeking "cruel and heartless" repeal of DACA], Southern Poverty Law Center, June 30, 2017.

Schmidt defended Kansas in a lawsuit brought by the ACLU, seeking to invalidate Kansas's ban on same-sex marriage and its prohibition of allowing same-sex couples to change the names on state drivers' licenses to reflect their married names, receive spousal health benefits, or file joint state tax returns.[https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2014/dec/08/prelim-injunction-sought-kansas-gay-marriage-case/ Preliminary injunction sought in Kansas gay marriage case to force full recognition of marriages], Lawrence Journal World, Peter Hancock, December 8, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2019. In 2014, after the chief district judge of Johnson County (the most populous county in the state) ordered the state to issue licenses to same-sex couples, Schmidt filed a petition in the Kansas Supreme Court and obtained a temporary halt to the issuance of licenses to same-sex couples pending a hearing.Health Hollingsworth, [https://apnews.com/article/5e201ade695c4dc2a37bac65f88a3367 Judge orders Kansas to let gay couples marry], Associated Press (November 4, 2014).[https://www.cjonline.com/article/20150701/NEWS/307019780 Kansas AG Derek Schmidt dismisses state court case against gay marriage], Associated Press (July 1, 2015). However, in November 2014, a federal district judge ordered the state to allow same-sex couples to marry.Bryan Lowry, [https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article3853751.html Supreme Court lifts hold on same-sex marriage in Kansas], Wichita Eagle (November 12, 2014). Schmidt petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to block the order, but the Court denied his request. In 2015, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry, Schmidt dropped his Kansas Supreme Court case against same-sex marriage.

In Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri v. Andersen (2018), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood, who challenged the decision of Kansas government officials to terminate Medicaid contracts with the organization. The court of appeals held that "States may not terminate providers from their Medicaid program for any reason they see fit, especially when that reason is unrelated to the provider's competence and the quality of the health care it provides."[https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=12361573873180971691 Planned Parenthood of Kansas v. Andersen], 882 F.3d 1205 (10th Cir. 2018), cert. denied, 139 S. Ct. 638 (2018). Schmidt strongly opposed the decision, as well as a similar one made by the Fifth Circuit in the Louisiana case of Gee v. Planned Parenthood of Gulf Coast. Schmidt asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the Tenth Circuit's decision, but in December 2018, the Supreme Court denied his petition for a writ of certiorari.Ariane de Vogue, [https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/10/politics/supreme-court-planned-parenthood-abortion/index.html Supreme Court sides with Planned Parenthood in funding fight], CNN (December 10, 2018). The state paid three East Coast law firms $899,000. One of the firms, Consovoy, McCarthy, Park, a Washington D.C. practice which was also representing President Trump in his efforts to prevent the release of his financial records, received $396,000 from Kansas. The firms were charging between $492 per hour to $750 an hour. Average billing rates for Kansas law firms handling such a case would have been $244 hourly.[https://www.kmuw.org/post/kansas-paid-outside-law-firms-899000-losing-effort-defund-planned-parenthood Kansas Paid Outside Law Firms $899,000 In Losing Effort To Defund Planned Parenthood], KMUW, Dan Margolies, May 21, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2021.

{{Further|Marijuana in Kansas}}

In 2015, Schmidt asked the Kansas Supreme Court to strike down a ballot measure, approved by voters in Wichita, that created a city ordinance reducing marijuana possession enforcement in the city. The measure specifically reduced the penalty for persons over 21 charged with a first marijuana possession offense (moving it from a Class A criminal misdemeanor to a civil infraction carrying a $50 fine). Schmidt asserted that the voter imitative was barred because it conflicted with uniform state law, a claim that the city disputed.Dion Lefler, [https://www.governing.com/topics/politics/tns-wichita-kansas-marijuana-debate.html Kansas AG Asks Supreme Court to Block Voter-Approved Marijuana Measure], Governing (April 10, 2015). The Kansas Supreme Court struck down the city ordinance in 2016; the court did not address Schmidt's argument that the local law conflicted with state law, but rather based its decision on a technical error, ruling that the petitioners' filing of the proposed ordinance with the city clerk was improper.Kelsey Ryan, [https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article56038995.html Kansas Supreme Court strikes down Wichita marijuana initiative (+videos)], Witchita Eagle (January 23, 2014).

In January 2018, Schmidt issued an opinion stating that all forms of marijuana, including cannabidiol (CBD oil) are unlawful in Kansas.[https://apnews.com/88a405ff572a46ef8bfb2f1f8031de99 Compound in marijuana now legal in Kansas with caveat], Associated Press (June 9, 2018).[http://ksag.washburnlaw.edu/opinions/2018/2018-005.pdf Atty. Gen. Op. No. 2018-05], Kanas Attorney General Derek Schmidt (January 24, 2018). Later in 2018, the state legislature voted to amend the state-law definition of marijuana to exclude CBD products without THC.[http://ksag.washburnlaw.edu/opinions/2018/2018-010.pdf Atty. Gen. Op. No. 2018-10], Kanas Attorney General Derek Schmidt (August 24, 2018).

In 2019, Schmidt was one of 17 state attorneys general who did not sign onto a letter from 33 state attorneys general in support of U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter's Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act (H.R. 1595), a bill to allow marijuana-related businesses in states and territories in which marijuana is legal to use the banking system. The bill would facilitate the collection of taxes levied on the $8.3 billion industry, reduce the danger of operating cash-only businesses and more effectively monitor the industry.[https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/attorneys-general-from-33-states-urge-banking-reform-for-pot-industry Attorneys general from 33 states urge banking reform for pot industry], Associated Press, May 8, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2019.

{{Further|Barack Obama citizenship conspiracy theories}}

Despite numerous judges across the U.S. having rejected challenges to the natural-born citizenship of Barack Obama, since before he was elected president in 2008,[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/26/around-the-nation-14956785/ Around the nation], The Washington Times, October 26, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2017. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach persistently demanded proof of citizenship before allowing Obama's name to appear on the 2012 Kansas presidential ballot. In September 2012, while leading the three-person State Objections Board, and supported by its other members, Kansas Secretary of State Jeff Colyer and Schmidt, Kobach requested additional evidence that Obama was actually born in Hawaii.{{Cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765603989/Kan-board-delays-decision-on-Obama-ballot.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731103855/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765603989/Kan-board-delays-decision-on-Obama-ballot.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 31, 2017|title=Kan. board delays decision on Obama, ballot|date=September 13, 2012|agency=Associated Press|via=DeseretNews.com}} In September 2012, the three heard arguments on a claim from a Manhattan, Kansas resident, Joe Montgomery, who claimed that Obama was not eligible to be president because his father was from Kenya and questioned whether the president had a valid birth certificate. As head of the Board, Kobach requested additional evidence that Obama was actually born in Hawaii. The Board asserted that it lacked sufficient evidence to determine whether Obama was eligible to appear on the Kansas ballot as a candidate in 2012 and that they needed to review Obama's birth certificate and other documents from Hawaii, Arizona, and Mississippi before they could respond to the resident's complaint.{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kansas-republicans-we-need-to-see-obamas-birth-certificate/|title=Kansas Republicans: We need to see Obama's birth certificate|date=September 14, 2012|work=CBS News}} The challenge, backed by high-profile conspiracist Orly Taitz, was eventually dropped but showed the continuing presence of the "birther" movement.{{Cite web|url=https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/17/obama-to-appear-on-kansas-ballot-after-birther-challenge-dropped/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918204934/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/17/obama-to-appear-on-kansas-ballot-after-birther-challenge-dropped/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 18, 2012|title=Obama to appear on Kansas ballot after 'birther' challenge dropped|publisher=CNN|date=July 15, 2012}} In an editorial, the Wichita Eagle criticized Kobach for entertaining conspiracy theories that "made Kansas look ridiculous" and criticized Colyer and Schmidt for failing to promptly toss the birther challenge.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kansas.com/opinion/editorials/article1099275.html|title=Editorial: Shame on Kobach|newspaper=Witchita Eagle|date=September 19, 2012}}

Schmidt joined forces with Republican Kris Kobach, then-Kansas Secretary of State, in filing a brief in support of a lawsuit seeking to force the Kansas Democratic Party to field a candidate in the 2014 U.S. Senate general election. If the Democrats were forced to field a candidate, it was anticipated to have decreased the chances of independent candidate Greg Orman (who was supported by Democrats) of defeating incumbent Republican Pat Roberts in the 2014 election.Bryan Lowry, [https://web.archive.org/web/20141216021852/http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/election/article2245646.html AG Derek Schmidt files brief in support of case to force Democrats to field Senate candidate], Wichita Eagle (September 25, 2014).Dave Helling, [https://web.archive.org/web/20141112101512/https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/election/article2421185.html Shawnee County District Court panel rules Democrats don't have to put Senate nominee on ballot], Kansas City Star (October 1, 2014). The suit was unanimously rejected by a three-judge panel of the Kansas District Court in Shawnee County.

Michael Capps filed to run in 2018 for the Kansas House District 97 seat using an address on the south side of Wichita.[https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article215297845.html GOP appoints Michael Capps to empty Kansas House seat; Democrats push for grand jury probe], Wichita Eagle, Chance Swaim, July 21, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2019. However, months before the election, Representative Chuck Weber, the incumbent in heavily Republican House District 85, that included part of north Wichita, and also suburbs to the north and northeast withdrew from his re-election run, and gave notice of his resignation, effective July 14, 2018. Then Capps changed his campaign filing, running instead for the District 85 seat, giving a north Wichita address, with a business mailing address of 6505 East Central Avenue, #110. Capps claimed he resided the Governeour street address, though the home was scheduled to be sold at auction on June 27, 2018. Democrats alleged Capps did not actually live at that address. However, the Kansas Objections Board, composed of Republicans Lieutenant Governor Tracey Mann, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Schmidt, refused to uphold the complaint. The Sedgwick County Republican Central Committee appointed Capps to fill the remainder of Weber's 85th District term.[https://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/elections_upcoming_candidate_display.asp Candidates for the 2018 General (unofficial)], Kansas Secretary of State. Retrieved November 6, 2019. When a Wichita Eagle reporter went to the home in the wake of October 2019 accusations about a fabricated attack video made by Capps against Wichita mayoral runoff candidate Brandon Whipple, an unidentified young man living there said he was "house sitting" and hadn't seen Capps, "in a while."[https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article236912653.html Sedgwick County Republican Party calls on GOP Rep. Michael Capps to resign over video], Wichita Eagle, Dion Lefler and Chance Swaim, November 1, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2022. Marc Bennett, District Attorney of Sedgwick County, petitioned to have Capps removed from office after an investigation of child abuse caused him to be decertified and removed as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Schmidt answered that he did not possess the authority to remove Capps.Swaim, Chance: [https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article247837915.html District attorney confirms investigation of CARES Act awards to Wichita officials], December 14, 2020, Wichita Eagle, retrieved November 4, 2022. as Kansas law limits removal of a state House member to four methods: Election defeat, expulsion by a vote of the Kansas House, expiration of the representative's term of office, or recall election. Schmidt noted state law forbids recall elections in the last two hundred days of a representative's term and since the legislature would not meet before the election, it could not expel Capps.[https://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/news/2020/12/01/state-attorney-general-michael-capps-lawsuit.html Citing state law, Kansas attorney general will not file lawsuit ousting Rep. Michael Capps], Wichita Business Journal, December 1, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2022. In 2020, Capps lost the Republican primary to Patrick Penn, who received 74.4%, 3,349 votes.[https://s3.amazonaws.com/ballotpedia-api4/files/thumbs/100/100/image1-5.jpeg], Ballotpedia, Shelby Kellerman. Retrieved November 6, 2022.

On December 8, 2020, Ken Paxton, the Republican Texas Attorney General, sued the states of Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania (four swing states won by Joe Biden, who defeated President Donald Trump) seeking to overturn the election results. Schmidt, as well as 15 other Republican state attorneys general, joined Texas's suit, Texas v. Pennsylvania, which was filed directly in the U.S. Supreme Court. The suit, supported by Trump and 120 Republican members of Congress, alleged unconstitutional actions in the four states' presidential ballot tallies and repeated claims of election fraud, that remained unsubstantiated, and which had already been rejected by other state and federal courts.Bryan Lowry, [https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article247732680.html Missouri, Kansas sign onto lawsuit seeking to overturn presidential election], Kansas City Star, December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.[https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-courts-election-results-e1297d874f45d2b14bc99c403abd0457 Trump thought courts were key to winning. Judges disagreed], Associated Press, Coleen Long and Ed White, December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020. In the suit, Paxton asked the Supreme Court to invalidate the states' sixty-two electoral votes, allowing Trump to be declared the winner of a second presidential term.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-courts-election-results-e1297d874f45d2b14bc99c403abd0457|title=Trump thought courts were key to winning. Judges disagreed.|date=December 8, 2020|website=AP NEWS|access-date=December 11, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/us/politics/texas-files-an-audacious-suit-with-the-supreme-court-challenging-the-election-results.html|title=Texas files an audacious suit with the Supreme Court challenging the election results.|last=Liptak|first=Adam|date=December 8, 2020|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 11, 2020}} Legal experts, as well as attorney generals from the four states, criticized the suit as meritless and politically motivated.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2020/12/09/trump-says-hell-join-texas-lawsuit-asking-supreme-court-to-block-62-biden-electors-from-four-states/|title=17 states, and Trump, join Texas request for Supreme Court to overturn Biden wins in four states|date=December 9, 2020|website=Dallas News|access-date=December 11, 2020}}{{Cite web|last=Platoff|first=Emma|date=December 8, 2020|title=In new lawsuit, Texas contests election results in Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/12/08/texas-ken-paxton-election-georgia/|access-date=December 11, 2020|website=The Texas Tribune|language=en}}{{Cite web|title='Publicity stunt': AGs in battleground states blast Texas counterpart for challenging Biden's win|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/publicity-stunt-ags-battleground-states-blast-texas-counterpart-challenging-biden-n1250383|access-date=December 11, 2020|website=NBC News|date=December 8, 2020 |language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Lindell|first=Chuck|title=Ken Paxton asks Supreme Court to block Joe Biden victory in 4 battleground states|url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2020/12/08/texas-ag-ken-paxton-asks-supreme-court-block-biden-wins-4-states/6489417002/|access-date=December 11, 2020|website=Austin American-Statesman|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/us/politics/texas-files-an-audacious-suit-with-the-supreme-court-challenging-the-election-results.html|title=Texas files an audacious suit with the Supreme Court challenging the election results.|first=Adam|last=Liptak|date=December 8, 2020|newspaper=New York Times|access-date=December 11, 2020}}{{Cite web|date=December 12, 2020|title=List: The 126 House members, 19 states and 2 imaginary states that backed Texas' challenge to Trump defeat|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/12/12/list-the-126-congress-members-19-states-and-2-imaginary-states-that-backed-texas-suit-over-trump-defeat|access-date=February 12, 2021|website=The Mercury News|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Trump and his GOP loyalists seek to pile on Supreme Court election challenge|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-gop-loyalists-seek-pile-supreme-court-election/story?id=74636127|access-date=December 11, 2020|website=ABC News|language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Amber |title=Why the Texas lawsuit to overturn the 2020 election may be the most outlandish effort yet |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/12/10/why-texas-lawsuit-overturn-2020-election-may-be-most-outlandish-effort-yet/ |access-date=December 11, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201211120810/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/12/10/why-texas-lawsuit-overturn-2020-election-may-be-most-outlandish-effort-yet/ |archive-date=December 11, 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Platoff |first1=Emma |title=With election lawsuit, Ken Paxton — like Donald Trump — makes a Hail Mary play |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/12/10/ken-paxton-donald-trump-election-lawsuit/ |access-date=December 11, 2020 |work=The Texas Tribune |date=December 10, 2020}} The Supreme Court quickly rejected the suit in an unsigned opinion on December 11.[https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/us/politics/supreme-court-election-texas.html Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election], The New York Times, December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 20202. The Wichita Eagle editorial board criticized Schmidt for having "signed our state's name to an embarrassing and baseless lawsuit aimed at overturning the presidential election" and noted that the amicus brief to which Schmidt signed "expanded voting rules in the four targeted states, even though Kansas employs many of the same procedures."[https://www.kansas.com/opinion/editorials/article247751530.html Kansas AG who joined a bogus lawsuit to overturn the election is part of the circus], Wichita Eagle (December 11, 2020).

In March 2021, Schmidt joined 11 other Republican state attorneys general in a lawsuit against the Biden administration, challenging a January 2021 Biden executive order aimed at mitigating climate change and incentivizing green jobs. The order directed federal agencies to consider, in environmental rulemaking, the social cost (economic damages) caused by emissions of greenhouse gases (carbon, methane, and nitrous oxide); revoked the permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline; and temporarily prohibited drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Schmidt claimed that the order would be "job-killing" and alleged that Biden lacked the constitutional authority to implement new rules about greenhouse gases.{{Cite web|last=King|first=Joey Garrison and Ledyard|title=12 Republican state attorneys general sue President Biden over climate change order|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/08/republican-led-states-sue-president-joe-biden-over-climate-change-order/4635600001/|access-date=March 11, 2021|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article249781578.html|title=Missouri, Kansas AGs sue Biden administration to stop greenhouse gas regulations|date=March 8, 2021|author=Jeanne Kuang & Katie Bernard|work=Kansas City Star}}

Schmidt also joined 20 other Republican state attorneys general in objecting to voting rights legislation passed by the U.S. House, alleging violations of the U.S. Constitution and an intrusion on states' rights to manage elections. The attorneys general vowed to challenge the bill in court, should it become law.{{Cite web|author=John Hanna|title=GOP Kansas attorney general launches campaign for governor|work=Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/article/legislature-dwight-eisenhower-kansas-legislation-coronavirus-pandemic-87542690cbd10047f1e557f7eb5ff57f|date=March 9, 2021}}{{Cite web|title=Kansas AG joins states fighting federal election changes|url=https://www.kfdi.com/2021/03/05/kansas-ag-joins-states-fighting-federal-election-changes/|access-date=March 11, 2021|website=Country 101.3 KFDI|language=en-US}}

On June 17, in a 7–2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an attack on Medicare, ruling that the petitioners lacked standing. Schmidt had once again joined in an action brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.[https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article252183453.html Kansas and Missouri AGs on the losing side as Supreme Court upholds Obamacare — again], Wichita Eagle, Bryan Lowry, June 17, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.

In 2016, Schmidt created a new Fraud and Abuse Litigation Division to prosecute financial crimes and elder abuse.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kctv5.com/news/derek-schmidt-scott-schwab-propose-voter-fraud-be-prosecuted-by/article_7107fbec-e9e3-11e8-bf41-cf02f3ba8dc2.html|title=Derek Schmidt, Scott Schwab propose voter fraud be prosecuted by attorney general, local prosecutors|last=Brown|first=Zoe|website=KCTV Kansas City|language=en|access-date=June 6, 2019}}

In 2017, Schmidt's colleagues elected him to serve a one-year term beginning in 2018 as president of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), an office which rotates on a regional basis.{{cite news|url=http://cjonline.com/news/state-government/2017-06-23/kansas-attorney-general-schmidt-lead-national-ag-organization|title=Kansas Attorney General Schmidt to lead national AG organization|last1=Carpenter|first1=Tim|date=June 23, 2017|access-date=July 30, 2017|publisher=Topeka Capital-Journal|location=Topeka, KS}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ksnt.com/news/local-news/trump-cabinet-member-talks-consumer-protection-in-topeka/1227397276|title=Trump cabinet member talks consumer protection in Topeka|last=Gartner|first=Alec|date=June 8, 2018|website=KSNT|language=en-US|access-date=June 6, 2019}}[https://ballotpedia.org/National_Association_of_Attorneys_General National Association of Attorneys General], Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 24, 2021.

Schmidt hired Toby Crouse as the Kansas Solicitor General. Crouse left the office after being appointed by Trump to the Kansas federal district court.Sarah Motter, [https://www.wibw.com/2020/11/18/ag-schmidt-welcomes-new-federal-district-court-judge/ AG Schmidt welcomes new Federal District Court Judge], WIBW (November 18, 2020).

Schmidt has given oral argument several times on behalf of the State of Kansas in the United States Supreme Court.Kalvis Golde, [https://www.scotusblog.com/2019/10/three-grants-and-youre-out-of-coffee/ Three grants and you're out (of coffee)]. SCOTUSblog (October 5, 2019). Schmidt successfully argued two Supreme Court cases involving the death penalty: Kansas v. Cheever (argued and decided in 2013){{Cite web|url=https://www.oyez.org/cases/2013/12-609|title=Data|website=www.oyez.org}} and Kansas v. Carr (argued in 2015 and decided in 2016).{{Cite web|url=https://www.oyez.org/cases/2015/14-449|title=Info|website=www.oyez.org}} Schmidt also gave oral argument in the Supreme Court case Kansas v. Garcia (argued 2019 and decided 2020), in which the Court held, 5–4, that the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) does not preempt "Kansas's application of its state identity-theft and fraud statutes to the noncitizens in this case."{{Cite web|url=https://www.oyez.org/cases/2019/17-834|title=Kansas v. Garcia|website=Oyez}}

{{Main|2022 Kansas gubernatorial election}}

In March 2021, Schmidt became the first major Republican candidate to enter the race against incumbent Democrat Laura Kelly for governor of Kansas in the 2022 election cycle. Schmidt named former Kansas Republican Party Chairman Kelly Arnold as his campaign treasurer. A Schmidt-aligned political action committee, Our Way of Life PAC, launched the previous week and announced plans to spend money in a push to unite Republicans around Schmidt.{{Cite web|last=Bahl|first=Andrew|title=Former Gov. Jeff Colyer signals he will launch 2022 bid to reclaim governorship|url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/03/05/jeff-colyer-signals-he-launch-2022-bid-governor-kansas/4592505001/|access-date=March 10, 2021|website=The Topeka Capital-Journal|language=en-US}} One of Schmidt's opponents in the Republican primary election was former governor Jeff Colyer, but Colyer dropped out of the race for the nomination due to ill health in August 2021, and endorsed Schmidt.Jonathan Shorman & Katie Bernard, [https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/election/article253855093.html Jeff Colyer drops out of Kansas governor’s race following prostate cancer diagnosis], Kansas City Star (August 30, 2021).

Schmidt said he would "welcome" the support of former president Donald Trump in the race and said he felt Trump's agenda "was very good for Kansas."{{Cite web|last=Bahl|first=Andrew|title=The governor's race is officially underway. What role will Sam Brownback and Donald Trump play?|url=https://www.hutchnews.com/story/news/politics/elections/2021/03/09/attorney-general-derek-schmidt-says-he-running-governor/4630117001/|access-date=March 10, 2021|website=The Hutchinson News|language=en-US}} Schmidt was endorsed by Colyer and Trump, and also by former vice-president Mike Pence and former secretary of state Mike Pompeo.Shorman, Jonathan. [https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article267123961.html “Former Vice President Mike Pence to visit Wichita to campaign for AG Derek Schmidt”], Kansas City Star (Oct 11, 2022).Sloan, Nick. [https://www.kctv5.com/2022/10/23/video-trump-endorses-derek-schmidt-kansas-governors-race/?outputType=amp “In video, Trump endorses Derek Schmidt in Kansas governor’s race”], KCTV (Oct 23, 2022). Several months before Bob Dole died in December 2021, he issued an endorsement of Schmidt for governor, jointly with his fellow former U.S. Senator Pat Roberts.{{cite web|title=Bob Dole, Pat Roberts endorse Kansas AG Derek Schmidt for governor|date=July 6, 2021|author=Tal Axelrod|website=thehill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/561634-bob-dole-pat-roberts-endorse-kansas-ag-derek-schmidt-in-gop-gubernatorial}}

Schmidt did not receive the endorsement of three of his former Republican superiors: former governor Bill Graves, former United States Senator Nancy Kassebaum, and former Kansas Attorney General Carla Stovall. They all endorsed Kelly in the race, as Graves and Kassebaum had done four years earlier against a different Republican nominee.{{Cite web|last=Bahl|first=Andrew|title=Former Republican A.G. Carla Stovall backs Laura Kelly in Kansas governor's race|url=https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/10/17/kansas-governor-election-2022-carla-stovall-endorse-laura-kelly-candidates/69568647007/|website=The Topeka Capitol Journal |language=en-US}} Kelly won the general election by a small margin.

{{Main|2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Kansas#District 2}}

On April 26, 2024, Schmidt announced that he would run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Kansas's 2nd congressional district, seeking to succeed U.S. representative Jake LaTurner, who had announced his retirement a week before.{{cite news |last1=Shorman |first1=Jonathan |last2=Desrochers |first2=Daniel |title=Derek Schmidt, former Kansas AG, launches campaign for Congress promising to 'fight back' |url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article288014465.html |access-date=April 26, 2024 |work=The Kansas City Star |date=April 26, 2024}}

Rep. Schmidt was sworn in to the 119th United States Congress on January 3, 2025.

• Committee on Armed Services
• Subcommittee on Military Personnel
• Subcommittee on Readiness
• Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
• Committee on the Judiciary
• Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust
• Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement
• Subcommittee on Oversight
• Committee on Small Business
• Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development
• Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Supply Chains

Schmidt is a Lutheran.{{cite web |title=Religious affiliation of members of the 119th Congress |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2024/12/pr_2025-01-02_faith-on-the-hill_member-list.pdf |publisher=Pew Research Center |access-date=January 8, 2025}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Kansas State Senate 15th District Republican Primary Election, 2000{{cite web|title=2000 Kansas Primary Election Results (Kansas Senate) |url=http://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/00elec/2000_primary_kssenate_official_results.xls|website=Kansas Secretary of State's Office |access-date=July 30, 2017|format=XLS}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Derek Schmidt

|votes = 7,002

|percentage = 58.20

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Virgil Peck, Jr.

|votes = 5,029

|percentage = 41.80

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Kansas State Senate 15th District General Election, 2000{{cite web|title=2000 Kansas Official General Election Results|url=http://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/elmpast/2kgwin1.html|website=Kansas Secretary of State's Office|access-date=July 30, 2017}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Derek Schmidt

|votes = 17,230

|percentage = 73.41

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (US)

|candidate = Johnetta Shelton

|votes = 6,240

|percentage = 26.59

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Kansas State Senate 15th District General Election, 2004{{cite web|title=2004 Kansas General Election Results (KS Senate)|url=http://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/04elec/ELKSSEN04G.xls|website=Kansas Secretary of State's Office|access-date=July 30, 2017|format=XLS}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Derek Schmidt (Incumbent)

|votes = 24,307

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Kansas State Senate 15th District General Election, 2008{{cite web|title=2008 Official General Results|url=http://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/08elec/2008_General_Official_Results.pdf|website=Kansas Secretary of State's Office|access-date=July 30, 2017}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Derek Schmidt (Incumbent)

|votes = 24,259

|percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Kansas Attorney General Republican Primary Election, 2010}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Derek Schmidt

|votes = 208,611

|percentage = 76.30

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Ralph De Zago

|votes = 64,493

|percentage = 23.60

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Kansas Attorney General General Election, 2010}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Derek Schmidt

|votes = 458,497

|percentage = 54.90

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Steve Six (Incumbent)

|votes = 349,340

|percentage = 41.80

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (US)

|candidate = Dennis Hawver

|votes = 26,867

|percentage = 3.20

}}

{{Election box gain with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (US)

|loser = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Kansas Attorney General General Election, 2014{{cite web|title=2014 General Election Official Results|url=http://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/14elec/2014%20General%20Election%20Official%20Results.pdf|website=Kansas Secretary of State's Office|access-date=July 30, 2017}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Derek Schmidt (Incumbent)

|votes = 564,766

|percentage = 66.70

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = AJ Kotich

|votes = 281,105

|percentage = 33.20

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=Kansas Attorney General General Election, 2018{{cite web|title=2018 General Election Unofficial Results|url=https://ent.sos.ks.gov/kssos_ent.html|website=Kansas Secretary of State's Office|access-date=December 10, 2018|format=PDF|archive-date=October 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009080345/https://ent.sos.ks.gov/kssos_ent.html|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (US)

|candidate = Derek Schmidt (Incumbent)

|votes = 599,773

|percentage = 59%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Sarah G. Swain

|votes = 410,881

|percentage = 41%

}}

{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (US)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change |title=Kansas Governor General Election, 2022{{Cite web |title=Unofficial Kansas Election Results |url=https://ent.sos.ks.gov/kssos_ent.html |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=ent.sos.ks.gov |archive-date=October 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009080345/https://ent.sos.ks.gov/kssos_ent.html |url-status=dead }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Laura Kelly (Incumbent)

|votes = 492,209

|percentage = 49%

}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Derek Schmidt

|votes = 471,323

|percentage = 47%

}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independent

|candidate = Dennis Pyle

|votes = 20,057

|percentage = 2%

}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Seth Cordell

|votes = 10,888

|percentage = 1%

}}{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title =Kansas's 2nd Congressional District General Election, 2024{{Cite web |title=2024 General Election Official Vote Totals |url=https://sos.ks.gov/elections/24elec/2024-General-Election-Official-Vote-Totals.pdf |access-date=January 25, 2025 |website=sos.ks.gov |publisher=Kansas Secretary of State |page=1}}

}}{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Derek Schmidt

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes =172,847

| percentage =57.1

}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Nancy Boyda

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes =115,685

| percentage =38.2

}}{{Election box candidate with party link no change|party=Libertarian Party (United States)|candidate=John Hauer|votes=14,229|percentage=4.7}}{{Election box total no change

| votes =302,761

| percentage =100.0

}}{{Election box hold with party link without swing

|winner = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=34451 Project Vote Smart profile]
• Follow the Money campaign contributions
• [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=32331 2000], [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=73540 2002], [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=74260 2004], [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=83038 2006], [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?c=108155 2008]
• [http://www.derekschmidt.org/ Campaign website]
• {{C-SPAN|112479}}

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Category:1968 births

Category:21st-century members of the Kansas Legislature

Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives

Category:Candidates in the 2022 United States elections

Category:Alumni of the University of Leicester

Category:Georgetown University Law Center alumni

Category:Kansas attorneys general

Category:Living people

Category:Lutherans from Kansas

Category:Republican Party Kansas state senators

Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Kansas

Category:University of Kansas alumni