The Kansas Legislature met one last time yesterday, to wrap up some unfinished business, and a bombshell announcement from Speaker Pro Tem and Representative of the 59th District, Blaine Finch. He announced he would not be running for reelection in the upcoming election. Finch, from Ottawa, finished his fifth term in the Kansas House. In a social media post, Finch says it was a bittersweet moment when he walked out the doors to the House Chamber for the last time, after announcing he would not seek a sixth term. He thanked the public for allowing him to serve and says it has been an amazing honor to have been the 59th District Representative in the Legislature. Finch was elected to the House of Representatives in 2013 and selected at Speaker Pro Tem in 2018.
He was born and raised in Ottawa, graduated from Ottawa High School ad Ottawa University, then received his Law Degree at Washburn University. Finch is the City Attorney for Ottawa. He did not indicate future plans, in his announcement.
Also not running for reelection is Kansas House Speaker Ron Rykman, who has led the Chamber for six years. With both Finch and Rykman stepping down, Republicans will begin a reshuffle in leadership in the House. After the election in November, the Kansas House Republican Caucus will elect a new Speaker and Speaker Pro Tem and Majority Leader.
