Retired local veterinarian Fred Gardner has filed for election to the Kansas Legislature, pitting himself against at least one of two incumbent Republicans in either the 5th or 9th State Representative Districts. Gardner, a Republican, technically filed for office in the 5th District since the newly redrawn State Legislative Maps have not yet been officially finalized. He says once Anderson County’s move to the 9th District is completed, his filing will be transferred into the new 9th District.
Gardner graduated from Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1978 and served on the USD 365 School Board in Garnett in the mid 1990’s. He and his wife, Jackie, operated Countryside Veterinary Clinic from 1984 until 2015. He now works part time for the practice, primarily in equine case work. He says he’s had an interest in government since childhood when his grandmother was involved in local government.