How Pompeo Will Be Replaced

You can find the Kansas Statute here. If I understand it correctly, once Congressman Mike Pompeo's seat is vacant--probably once he's confirmed at CIA director??-- the Governor, who may or may not be Gov. Brownback will have 5 days to set an election date. The date has to be more than 45 days but less than 60 days after the vacancy occurs.

This election proclamation must be delivered to the Kansas Secretary of State--who may or may not be Kris Kobach. The Secretary of State will notify the chairs of the Democratic and Republican parties. In this case, the SOS would notify Lee Kinch, the Dem Party Chair who is of Wichita, I believe; and Kelly Arnold, the KS GOP Chair. There's talk that Arnold may be considered to replace Kris Kobach, if Kobach gets a Trump Administration slot. So, that notification may be delivered by Arnold to Republican Vice Chair Ashley McMillan. 

The parties will then schedule a district convention. Republican 4th District delegates will select a Republican nominee for Pompeo's seat, and Democrat 4th District delegates will select a Democratic candidate. Independent candidates can have access to the ballot through a petition process. Voters will choose between those candidates in the special election. 


For Republicans, the District Committee includes delegates from each county in the 4th district--the county chair and vice chair. Counties also get bonus delegates according to a formula that is based on how many ballots were cast in the Republican primary. Here's the breakdown:

BARBER    2

BUTLER 16

CHAUTAUQUA 2

COMANCHE 2

COWLEY  8

EDWARDS 2

ELK    2

GREENWOOD 2

HARPER    2

HARVEY 10

KINGMAN 2

KIOWA 2

PRATT 2

SEDGWICK 66

STAFFORD 2

SUMNER   2

PAWNEE  2

Here are the 66 Republican 4th district delegates from Sedgwick. Their phone lines are probably burning up right about now as people attempt to curry favor. A Congressional seat is a pretty big prize.

Kansas State Treasurer Ron Estes is rumored to be interested in the seat. (He and his wife are both 4th District delegates, so he'd probably start with a 2-vote lead.) I've also heard Arnold may have interest in the role. Other names being tossed around? Susan Wagle. Michael O'Donnell. I'm sure there are more. Former Congressman Todd Tiahrt may be interested in his old seat. It's anyone's game, but remember--the chosen candidate will have to beat whoever the Dems choose in a special election.