Kelly, Davids endorse candidate for KS Democratic Party chair. Their pick faces a lawsuit
Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s pick for the new chair of the state party is facing a lawsuit alleging she didn’t pay a staffer during a previous campaign.
Kansas Democratic Party members will vote Saturday on a new chair with a choice between former state Treasurer Lynn Rogers and Jeanna Repass, a political newcomer from Overland Park who unsuccessfully challenged Republican incumbent Scott Schwab for Kansas secretary of state last year and lost.
On Tuesday Kansas’ top Democrats — Kelly, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, Kansas House Minority Leader Vic Miller, and Kansas Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes — issued a joint endorsement of Repass, according to an email obtained by The Star.
Kelly’s choice of Repass was striking because Rogers, a former state senator from Wichita, had served as her lieutenant governor during the first two years of her governorship. Repass would be the first woman of color to serve as the state party’s chair if she wins.
“Her electric energy and bold optimism will engage a new generation of Kansas Democrats, something she’s already successfully begun to do,” the four Democrats said in the endorsement email, which was sent by Kelly’s campaign committee. “Her unwavering commitment to listening, learning, and building relationships will lead to lasting infrastructure and bonds on which our party will be tested.”
That same day Repass’s former campaign manager, Nicole Aghaaliandastjerdi, filed a lawsuit in Johnson County small claims court against Repass and her 2022 secretary of state campaign for $4,000 in unpaid wages
Aghaaliandastjerdi managed Repass’s campaign for secretary of state from mid-June until late August.
According to the lawsuit, Aghaaliandastjerdi agreed in writing not to cash her final paycheck until September. When she went to cash the check, the lawsuit alleges, Repass had canceled payment.
“I am from Kentucky and spent my own money to travel to and from Kansas to work on her campaign and this was my only source of income,” Aghaaliandastjerdi said in an email.
In a statement, Repass disputed Aghaaliandastjerdi’s claims.
“Ms. Aghaaliandastjerdi was paid for her services up until the time of her departure from the campaign. I do not believe her claim has any merit,” Repass said.
The campaign for party chair has grown increasingly tense and personal in recent weeks. Supporters of the two candidates traded attacks and allegations over social media as the candidates themselves have sought to stay above the fray.
In a Twitter thread Friday, Rogers criticized the social media attacks and emphasized his personal respect for Repass. He called for an end to the “drama and toxicity.”
Repass said her inexperience running a statewide campaign last year was a motivating factor to seek the chair position.
“One of the main reasons I’m running to lead the Kansas Democratic Party is to ensure that our candidates have the resources and support they need to run a professional campaign,” she said. “That’s something I really could have used as a first time candidate for statewide office, and I hope no Democratic candidates find themselves in this position in future cycles.”
