Mike Brown (born 1968)[1] is an American politician from Kansas who currently serves as the Chairman of the Kansas Republican Party.[2] In 2022, he ran for Kansas Secretary of State, challenging incumbent Scott Schwab.
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 | Kristi Brown |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Johnson County Community College Kansas State University |
| 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 and Kansas State University. Brown has worked in construction since high school, opening his own home building firm in 1990 becoming the largest volume builder in the KC Metro by 1998 and served as the 2007 President of the Homebuilders’ Association of Greater Kansas City. Brown continues working as a general contractor and owner of Brown Midwest Construction Services.
Political career
editEarly career
editBrown started his state political career volunteering for the Tim Shallenburger for Governor 2002 bid for governor and two local county commissioner campaigns in 2004 and 2008.[citation needed] In 2016, Brown ran for the Johnson County Commission in District 6 and was elected.[3] He served in this office from 2017-2021. 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, proving 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] Since becoming chairman, the KSGOP has set fundraising records and is responsible for landslide Republican wins across Kansas in 2023 and 2024.
Personal life
editBrown is married to Kristi Brown.[citation needed] The couple live in Overland Park, Kansas and have 5 children together.
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.
- ^ 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.