Gov. Sam Brownback isn’t going anywhere soon. That’s the implication of a tweet and a press release from Kansas Governor on Tuesday.
“Looking forward to another great legislative session. I will remain Governor until confirmed by the U.S. Senate,” he posted.
Government watchers and even Kansas legislators have long speculated when the Governor might leave Topeka for a job in the Trump administration, and now it appears they have their answer.
It appears Brownback is staying over the objections of state media, which in recent days have called for his resignation.
President Trump nominated Brownback to a U.S. State Department post in July, and the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations committee favorably forwarded the nomination for full consideration by the U.S. Senate in October. The committee’s approval, however. Senate Democratic committee members opposed Brownback’s nomination, with Overland Park-native and Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine taking a particularly hard line against Brownback.
Brownback’s nomination wasn’t included on a list of Trump nominees rolled over into 2018, so Trump will have to renominate the Kansas Governor. Brownback will also have to testify in a second hearing before the foreign relations committee.
Brownback’s nomination could have been carried over into 2018 with a unanimous vote of the U.S. Senate.
Brownback announced he will give the State of the State Address to the Kansas Legislature on Jan. 9, a strong indication that he intends to remain in office through the 2018 legislative session. According to a press release, Brownback’s speech will address the school funding lawsuit and Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer will meet with advocacy groups about Brownback’s budget proposal the day after the speech.
The 2018 legislative session begins on Jan. 8. Brownback is scheduled to give the State of the State Address to the Kansas House at 5 p.m. the following day.