From the office of Gov. Laura Kelly
Week of September 7, 2025
Governor Kelly Announces Multiple Administrative Actions and Appointments
Governor Laura Kelly has made several significant administrative announcements this week, including new appointments to state councils and commissions, flag proclamations, and job openings for key state positions.
On Friday, Sept. 11, Kelly announced 11 appointments to three state councils and commissions. The Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities received four new members: Ricardo Hernandez of Shawnee, Perri Spencer of Peabody, Nancy Goodman of Scott City, and Amy Schmierbach of Hays. The council advocates for systematic change to increase productivity, independence, integration and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in Kansas communities.
Four appointments were also made to the Kansas Commission on Deaf and Hard of Hearing, including Patti Haskins of Conway Springs, Harmony Jarratt of Kansas City (reappointment), Kelly Selznick of Overland Park (reappointment), and Shanna Groves of Olathe (reappointment). This commission works to facilitate equal access to quality, coordinated and comprehensive services for Kansans who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The Kansas African American Affairs Commission received three new appointments: Dr. Crystal Davis of Junction City (reappointment), Dr. Trent Davis of Salina (reappointment), and Mark McCormick of Leawood (reappointment). The commission addresses public policy concerns of the African American community through partnerships with state agencies, corporations and foundations.
Kelly also issued two flag proclamations this week. On Friday, Sept. 12, she ordered flags flown at half-staff through Sunday, Sept. 14, in remembrance of victims of political violence, specifically honoring Charlie Kirk, Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and all victims and survivors of political violence. Earlier, she directed flags to half-staff from sunup to sundown on Thursday, Sept. 11, to honor the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 Americans.
Additionally, Kelly issued a statement responding to Attorney General Kobach's press conference on Monday, describing it as "low-rent political theater" and criticizing what she called vague statements and rushed legal actions. She emphasized her commitment to protecting Kansans from federal overreach.
The governor also announced she is seeking applications for two key positions: Director of the Kansas Office of Early Childhood and a district court judge position in the 18th Judicial District covering Sedgwick County. The early childhood director position stems from House Bill 2045, signed by Kelly in April, which consolidated nearly 20 existing state programs. Applications for the judicial position, created by a vacancy due to Judge Bruce Brown's passing, must be submitted by Oct. 10, 2025.
