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 election, lost in primary].
Mike Brown | |
|---|---|
| Chairman of the Kansas Republican Party | |
| Assumed office February 11, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Kuckelman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1967 or 1968 (age 56–57) Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | 2nd spouse Kristi Brown |
| Children | 5 from their prior relationships |
| Education | Johnson County Community College [[]] |
| Website | Campaign website |
Early life
editBrown 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 and attended Johnson County Community College . Brown has worked in construction since high school, opening his own home building firm in 1990 and working as a general contractor.
Political career
editEarly career
editBrown 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 the Johnson County Commission in District 6 and was elected.[3] 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. [4][2]
Secretary of State bid
editIn 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” [5] and lost with 44.76% to Schwab's 55.24%.[5][6][2]
KSGOP Party Chairman
editMike Brown was elected Kansas GOP Party Chairman in 2022 against Helen Van Etten, a long-time Kansas GOP leader, by a two vote margin.[7] Under Brown's leadership of the KS GOP, on March 11, 2024, an event was held in Johnson County where attendees paid money to beat an effigy of Joe Biden. This led to calls for him to be removed as party chairman.[8]
Personal life
editBrown is married to his 2nd wife Kristi Brown.[citation needed] The couple live in Overland Park, Kansas and have 5 children between them from prior relationships[4]
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Scott Schwab (incumbent) | 245,998 | 55.24% | |
| Republican | Mike Brown | 199,316 | 44.76% | |
| Total votes | 445,314 | 100% | ||
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References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ "Former Johnson County Commissioners". Johnson County Kansas. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ a b 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.