Laura Kelly is the Governor of Kansas. She assumed office on January 14, 2019. Her current term ends on January 11, 2027. Kelly earned a B.S. in psychology from Bradley University and an M.S. in therapeutic recreation from Indiana University at Bloomington. Before entering politics, Kelly worked in the recreational therapy field of healthcare. She served as executive director of the Kansas Recreation and Park Association from 1988 to 2004. Kelly was elected to the Kansas Senate in 2004 and served until her election as governor in 2018. During her time in the legislature, Kelly served in a variety of leadership roles, including Minority Whip, Assistant Minority Leader, and Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Committee. In her last two re-election campaigns as senator (2012 and 2016), she defeated Republican challengers 51%-48%. In the 2018 gubernatorial election, Kelly defeated then-Secretary of State Kris Kobach 48%-43%. Kelly ran on a joint ticket with the lieutenant gubernatorial nominee, Lynn Rogers. Gov. Kelly's victory broke an eight-year Republican trifecta in the state and resulted in a divided government.
