Local Spat And Party Politics Threaten Kansas Governor's Pick To Head Commerce

[TexasTowelie]

1. Update:

After bitter fight, Kansas senators confirm Gov. Kelly’s pick to lead commerce agency

TOPEKA -- Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s choice to lead the state’s economic development agency will remain on the job following a fight that echoed brutal Washington-style confirmation battles.

The state Senate voted 23-14 on Monday to confirm David Toland as Secretary of Commerce. The decision brought to a close a two-week drama over his nomination centered on past disputes in his hometown of Iola and statewide abortion politics.

The confirmation battle was unusual for Kansas, where most cabinet-level nominations don’t become overly controversial.

“David is a seventh generation Kansan who has given back to his hometown of Iola, as well as so many other communities across the state. Now is the time for Secretary Toland to get to work on behalf of our entire state,” Kelly said in a statement.

Read more: https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article228682869.html