Chiefs coach Andy Reid plans to help raise money for Kansas governor candidate

The coach of the Kansas City Chiefs is pitching in to help Gov. Jeff Colyer's campaign for governor.

Colyer's campaign announced Friday afternoon that Andy Reid will join him at two events, on June 4 in Wichita and on June 6 in Mission Hills.

Chiefs officials did not immediately comment about the appearances Friday afternoon.

"We're excited and appreciate Andy's support in these fundraisers," Colyer campaign spokeswoman Kara Fullmer said.

Colyer, who took over the state's executive office in late January after Gov. Sam Brownback joined President Donald Trump's administration, is running against Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer and former nominee Jim Barnett for the Republican nomination.

Tickets for the events start at $500 each. More extravagant packages range from $1,000 to $4,000. The $4,000 package includes four tickets to a VIP reception and a photo opportunity.

Jim Barnett, a Topeka doctor and former GOP nominee running against Colyer for governor, criticized Reid's involvement in the race in a statement.

He also took issue with the Chiefs coach making the move after Colyer signed an adoption bill that will allow faith-based adoption agencies to reject gay and lesbian couples.

“I call upon Coach Reid to withdraw support of Governor Colyer or any other candidate for governor," Barnett said. "It just seems inappropriate for the Kansas City Chiefs to become involved in a political campaign for a candidate, who has just signed into law one of the most discriminatory pieces of legislation in recent memory."

This story was originally published May 25, 2018 at 3:41 PM with the headline "Chiefs coach Andy Reid plans to help raise money for Kansas governor candidate."