Sam BrownbackAmerican politician, 46th Governor of Kansas since January 2011.
Date of Birth: 12.09.1956
Country: USA |
Content:
- Personal Life and Family Origins
- Education and Early Career
- Legal and Political Career
- U.S. Representative and Senator
- Presidential Run and Return to Kansas
- Governorship
Personal Life and Family Origins
Samuel Dale Brownback was born on September 12, 1956, in Garnett, Kansas. He grew up on his family's farm in Parker, Kansas. His ancestors emigrated from Pennsylvania to Kansas after the Civil War and were of German descent.
Education and Early Career
Brownback was president of the Kansas FFA (Future Farmers of America) in 1976-1977 and a national vice president of the FFA. He attended Kansas State University, where he was elected student body president and was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. In 1982, he earned a law degree from the University of Kansas.
Legal and Political Career
After graduating, Brownback worked for a television station for a year, hosting a weekly half-hour show. He then worked as an attorney in Manhattan, Kansas, before serving as Kansas Secretary of Agriculture from 1986 to 1990. In 1990, he was selected as a White House Fellow and joined the United States Trade Representative. He returned to Kansas and resumed his role as Secretary of Agriculture until 1993.
U.S. Representative and Senator
Brownback was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994. In 1996, he ran in a special election to replace Senator Bob Dole, who had resigned to run for president. He defeated Sheila Frahm and Democratic challenger Jill Docking. In 1998, Brownback was elected to a full six-year Senate term, and he was reelected in 2004.
Presidential Run and Return to Kansas
Brownback announced his presidential candidacy in 2006 but withdrew in 2007 due to a lack of funding. He later endorsed John McCain for president. In 2008, Brownback considered running for governor in 2010 and filed paperwork to run in 2009.
Governorship
Brownback won the 2010 gubernatorial election, taking 63.3% of the vote. He took office on January 10, 2011, and has served as Kansas' 46th governor ever since.