Gov. Parkinson To Name New Secretary Of State

Gov. Mark Parkinson has scheduled a news

conference to name a new secretary of state to replace Republican

Ron Thornburgh.

Parkinson’s office said the new secretary will be named at 10:30

a.m. Tuesday.

Thornburgh, a four-term Republican, resigned Feb. 15 to become a

senior vice president for Olathe-based NIC Inc., which builds and

manages government Web sites.

Assistant Secretary of State Janet Chubb has been in charge of

the office since Thornburgh’s resignation.

The Kansas Constitution requires the governor to replace a

statewide elected official to finish an unexpired term. Kansans

will elect a new secretary of state in November.

Parkinson, a Democrat, isn’t bound by Thornburgh’s party

affiliation and could name a Democrat to fill the vacancy. The

appointment doesn’t require legislative approval.