Mike Brown | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the Kansas Republican Party | |
| Assumed office February 11, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Kuckelman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Kristi Brown |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Johnson County Community College Kansas State University |
| Website | Campaign website |
Mike Brown is an American politician from Kansas who currently serves as the Chair of the Kansas Republican Party.[1] In 2022, he challenged incumbent Scott Schwab in that year's Kansas Secretary of State election.
Early life
Brown is a 6th generation Kansan, born in Kansas City, Kansas. He graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School as part of their class of 1987, and attended Johnson County Community College and Kansas State University, although he never graduated from either. Brown has worked in construction since high school, opening his own home building firm in 1990 and working as a general contractor.[2]
Political career
Early career
Brown started his political career volunteering for Tim Shallenburger's unsuccessful 2002 bid for governor, and two local county commissioner campaigns in 2004 and 2008. Then in 2017 he decided to run for commissioner himself and was elected as the Johnson County commissioner. He would serve in this office until 2021 following his defeat in a 2020 re-election bid.[3] He has also served in a series of minor roles including as Johnson County's parks and recreation commissioner, a member of the Kansas State Workforce Development Board, the Kansas Black Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Homebuilders’ Association of Greater Kansas City, and the associations president in 2007.[2][1]
Secretary of State bid
In the 2022 Kansas Secretary of State election, Brown challenged incumbent Secretary of State of Kansas, Scott Schwab, claiming that Schwab was a "RINO" and part of the establishment. Brown's campaign included repeated promotion of baseless election conspiracies.[4] Brown's campaign was competitive, but he lost with 44.76% to Schwab's 55.24%. Brown challenged these results with an ultimately unsuccessful recount.[4][5][1]
Party chairman
Mike Brown was elected Kansas GOP Party Chairman in 2022 against Helen Van Etten, a long-time Kansas GOP leader.[6] During his tenure, Brown has taken a number of controversial positions, including accusing his predecessor, Mike Kuckelman, of following his family.[7] He has also overseen a substantial dip in the Kansas GOP's fundraising numbers. However, on November 4, 2023, Former President Donald Trump commended Mike Brown on doing “a fantastic job” as Kansas GOP Chair during a rally in Kissimmee, Florida in which Brown was in attendance. Trump called Brown a “warrior” and added, “Thank you, Mike. Great job. How are we doing in Kansas? Pretty good… I think we are doing pretty good there.” [8]
Personal life
Brown is married to Kristi Brown. The couple live in Overland Park, Kansas and have 5 children; Laura, Michael, Roan, John and Mary.[2]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Scott Schwab (incumbent) | 245,998 | 55.24% | |
| Republican | Mike Brown | 199,316 | 44.76% | |
| Total votes | 445,314 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Brown | 90 | 50.56% | |
| Republican | Helen Van Etten | 88 | 49.16% | |
| Total votes | 178 | 100% | ||
References
- 1 2 3 HANNA, JOHN. "Kansas GOP picks election conspiracy promoter as new leader". Associated Press. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- 1 2 3 Brown, Mike. "Meet Mike Brown". mikebrownforkansas.com. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- ↑ Carpenter, Tim. "Kansas Republicans select 2020 election conspiracy theorist to serve as party chairman". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
- 1 2 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.
- ↑ "Kansas GOP chair asks predecessor to avoid him: 'My wife feels very uncomfortable'". Yahoo Entertainment. May 25, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ↑ "The Topeka Capital-Journal". www.cjonline.com. Retrieved August 9, 2023.