By Brenna Eller
McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — Lori Shultz of Lindsborg was sworn in by Secretary of State Scott Schwab this morning to fill the remaining, about seven months term of the late State Representative Les Mason who passed away on June 3, 2024.
Shultz, the wife of former State Representative and current Lindsborg Mayor Clark Shultz, was nominated by McPherson County Republican Precinct Committee members at the McPherson Senior Center Monday night.
Katie Sawyer, representing the Groveland Township, nominated Shultz for the position Monday, and shared that Shultz has a “wealth of experience” and is able to “hit the ground running at the effect of press.”
“We need somebody who can hit the ground running immediately and approximately 14 hours from now who knows how the legislature works, who has been around the state legislature, who has been around governing bodies, that can be effective for us in a time of big decision making,” Sawyer said. “Lori is the person for that. I know Lori understands the needs of the constituents of McPherson County; she has my support and I hope you all will support her as well.”
Shultz shared in her nomination speech that she was ready for Tuesday’s Special Session in Topeka.
“It’s getting too hard at the grocery store,” Shultz said. “Our friend, Representative Les Mason was on the right track. And we must make sure that McPherson County and our conservative values, our Biblical values are represented, and we continue to be heard in Kansas.”
Shultz received a 51 percent majority of votes on the first ballot from the 37 votes, ten of which were cast by proxy at Monday’s meeting.
Don Hobson and John Ferguson were also in the running for the nomination which immediately was taken to Governor Laura Kelly to make the formal appointment allowing her to be part of the special session of the Legislature opening Tuesday.
The convention was open to the public, however only the current precinct committee members from the 73rd House District were eligible to vote in the convention. This includes all of McPherson County except the townships bordering Harvey, Marion and Reno Counties, including Canton, Inman, Moundridge and Roxbury.
State Representative Stephen Owens was also present at Monday’s convention, there to congratulate the winner and offer them a ride to the Tuesday Session if they needed one. He also shared a message to McPherson County residents in hopes he wins the upcoming election as he runs for Senate.
“I have truly appreciated the opportunity to serve the folks in McPherson County,” Owens said. “I have always felt so welcome here in McPherson County and I am certainly going to miss that part, but I am very excited that, God willing, I will be serving as your Senator.”
