Tracey Mann is the 50th Lieutenant Governor of Kansas. He was sworn-in by Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss on Wednesday afternoon. Gov. Jeff Colyer named Mann as his second during a dinner the day before.
“Tracey has been a leader on economic development and rural issues in Kansas for years, and I am excited to bring those skills to our team,” Colyer said in a press release. “Tracey truly knows what it means to listen, serve, and lead.”
Mann gave brief remarks after he was sworn-in.
“We have serious problems to solve but together as Kansans I know we can and will find solutions that lead to a bright and hopeful future for our state,” he said.
His wife and four children attended the swearing-in ceremony, and he said his goal as lieutenant governor will be to make Kansas a place where his children will stay in the future. He said as a real estate executive, he’s watched some people move away from the Sunflower State for jobs elsewhere.
In a release, Mann said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve as Colyer’s Lieutenant Governor.
“Over the years, I’ve been impressed with his willingness to serve as a leader on the hard issues,” Mann said in a release. “Governor Colyer’s track record shows he doesn’t shy away from tackling the difficult problems. I am excited to join him in serving the people of Kansas as we focus on reform, jobs and education.”
The new lieutenant governor hasn’t held elected office, though he ran for U.S. Congress in 2010. In a crowded Republican primary to replace then Congressman Jerry Moran, Mann placed third behind former state Rep. Jim Barnett and former Congressman Tim Huelskamp. Huelskamp went on to win the general election.
He will be Colyer’s running mate in the 2018 gubernatorial race. Prior to Colyer announcing his number two, staff told the Sentinel a first order of business for the duo will be touring the state to introduce Colyer’s running mate to Kansas voters.
Mann is originally from Quinter. He attended Kansas State University where he served as student body president in 1999. He also served as an intern in then-Congressman Moran’s office in 1997. Mann and his wife, Audrey, their children now live in Salina.
