Former Gov. Sam Brownback endorses Scott Schwab for 2nd term as KS top election official
Former Gov. Sam Brownback announced his support Wednesday for Secretary of State Scott Schwab, who is seeking a second term as the state’s top elections official.
Schwab, who served in the Kansas House of Representatives throughout Brownback’s tenure (2011-18), is facing a primary challenge from former Johnson County Commissioner Mike Brown. Though Schwab has consistently asserted Kansas elections are safe and secure, Brown is campaigning on unfounded claims of voter fraud.
In his statement supporting Schwab, Brownback said Kansans could trust Schwab to protect election integrity and highlighted his work to pass voter ID laws in the Legislature.
“Safe and secure elections are the foundation of American democracy,” Brownback said. “Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab has demonstrated leadership and commitment to ensuring election integrity in Kansas.”
In a text message Brown criticized Schwab for calling Kansans pushing voter fraud conspiracies “domestic bad actors.”
“If Schwab had been doing his job for the last 3+ years instead of calling Kansan’s “Domestic Bad Actors” he wouldn’t need endorsements as he could run on his record,” Brown said. “His failed leadership has left him no option but to chase other failed career politicians.”
In a 2020 letter to the Legislature, Schwab defended the state’s use of Dominion voting systems stating there had been no evidence of problems with them in Kansas despite misinformation promoted by “domestic bad actors.”
Endorsements from Brownback, who resigned in 2017 to take an ambassadorship in former President Donald Trump’s administration, have been rare.
The former governor is best known for 2012 tax cuts that resulted in years of budget shortfalls. In the 2022 governors race, Democrats have sought to tie presumptive nominee Attorney General Derek Schmidt to Brownback.
Schwab, however, announced Brownback’s endorsement in a press release and thanked him for the support.
“Ambassador Brownback has seen firsthand the importance of free and fair elections and a government that is beholden to the people,” Schwab said.
This story was originally published April 13, 2022 at 11:38 AM.
