Parkinson may fill governorship

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is rumored to be at the top of President Barack Obama’s list of candidates for Health and Human Services Secretary. If chosen, Sebelius would head to Washington and leave the state in the hands of Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson.

News about Sebelius possibly replacing Tom Daschle as nominee for HHS Secretary began buzzing when she visited with Obama aide Valerie Jarrett on a routine trip to Washington. While the governor’s office in Topeka hasn’t announced anything, the Associated Press reported that Sebelius was a top contender for the position. Bolstered by her strong ties with women’s rights and eight years experience as Kansas insurance commissioner, AP said she would be Obama’s second choice for the vacancy.

As of right now, the staff in the governor’s office has no knowledge of possibly being given a new boss.

“As far as staff members are concerned, we work for the state as usual,” Stacy Elmer, Topeka graduate student, said. Elmer works in Sebelius’ office and said she could not comment on the possibility of Sebelius moving to Washington.

Should the move happen, David Gottlieb, professor of law and Parkinson’s former instructor, said he had confidence Parkinson would make a good governor.

“I think he’s someone who’s been very well-respected on both sides of the aisle his whole career,” Gottlieb said.

Parkinson graduated from the University’s School of Law in 1984 at the top of his class and moved on to private practice. His political career began when he was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 1990 and then to the Kansas Senate in 1992. He joined Governor Sebelius’ ticket for office in 2006, and was recently appointed as Chairman of the Governor’s Military Council, which advises any Kansas military actions ordered by the Department of Defense.

Burdett Loomis, professor of political science, said that the clear line of succession made transitions smooth, and that Parkinson would have no trouble functioning as governor. Loomis said Kansas citizens would probably not notice any sort of direct change if the shift in leadership occurred.

While Sebelius announced in early December that she wasn’t considering any cabinet positions and wanted to focus on Kansas’ budget problems, Loomis said she would be an ideal candidate for HHS Secretary.

“She has been extraordinarily interested in health care, and has eight years as insurance commissioner under her belt,” Loomis said.

Editorial: Sebelius’ experience will help as Secretary ...

The governor will do more good in Washington than she could have ...

/news/2009/mar/09/editorial_sebelius/

Sebelius may oversee Medicare, Medicaid

Mark Parkinson will be Kansas’ governor if Sebelius accepts position as secretary ...

/news/2009/mar/02/sebelius/

Governor’s departure poses problems

Sebelius’ acceptance of HHS secretary leaves Kansas’ future and Obama’s health care ...

/news/2009/mar/03/governors_departure/

Cohen: Sebelius should stay on for now ...

A Cabinet post would be great, but the governor is needed more ...

/news/2009/feb/18/cohen_sebelius/

Sebelius reportedly Obama's choice for health secretary

The governor's possible departure could mean a shift of power in Topeka.

/news/2009/feb/19/sebelius_reportedly/

Harold Godwin to speak on health care

Godwin will discuss the issues former Gov. Sebelius will face in her ...

/news/2009/may/05/harold_godwin_healthcare/

Students contemplate Sebelius’ future

Obama aides say Kansas governor might be next Health and Human Services ...

/news/2009/feb/23/sebelius/

Does Sebelius really have the veep potential?

/news/2008/aug/21/sebelius/

Columnists: Goodbyes to the governor

Kansan columnists share their views of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

/news/2009/mar/09/columnists_goodbyes/

Chancellor to be inaugurated on Sunday

Secretary Sebelius, Gov. Parkinson among speakers expected at Chancellor Gray-Little’s installation ceremony.

/news/2010/apr/09/chancellor-be-inaugurated-sunday/

Parkinson addresses budget shortfall, prevents cuts to ...

In a speech today, Gov. Parkinson released his plan to address budget ...

/news/2010/mar/05/parkinson-addresses-budget-shortfall-prevents-cuts/

Sebelius persuades students to support Obama

Kathleen Sebelius spoke at the University on Monday about the upcoming Democratic ...

/news/2008/feb/05/sebelius_persuades/

Sen. Brownback addresses RNC delegates

He says Gov. Sebelius would lose Senate race for his seat, endorses ...

/news/2008/sep/05/convention/

Sebelius VP bid ends

Home state, lack of foreign policy experience keep Kansas governor from winning ...

/news/2008/aug/25/sebelius/

University trims expenditures to prepare for budget ...

State agencies will face a 3 percent budget cut for the upcoming ...

/news/2008/nov/06/university_trims_expenditures_prepare_budget_cuts/

Governor appoints three to Board of Regents

The appointments are subject to approval of the Kansas Senate.

/news/2010/may/25/governor-appoints-three-board-regents/

Sebelius avoids revealing political plans

The Kansas governor said she was happy the national spotlight had been ...

/news/2008/aug/28/sebelius_avoids_revealing_future_political_plans/

Students earn D.C. jobs through internships

Fifteen KU students interned with politicians last spring, in some cases earning ...

/news/2008/jun/21/students_earn_dc_jobs_through_internships/

KU professor talks politics across globe

Burdett Loomis gives lectures for the U.S. State Department.

/news/2009/aug/26/professor_globe/

Moore reiterates Obama support at DNC

The representative for Kansas’ 3rd congressional district also says Sebelius has Cabinet ...

/news/2008/aug/29/moore/

Chancellor talks budget cuts with Kansas Senate

Hemenway spoke to legislators about his concerns of the effects of Sebelius’ ...

/news/2009/feb/13/kansas_senate/

Legislature approves coal power plants

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius might veto the bill that allows power plants in ...

/news/2009/mar/09/coal/

Tickets available for Chancellor's inauguration

Gray-Little will formally become the KU Chancellor on April 11.

/news/2010/mar/21/tickets-available-chancellors-inauguration/

Editorial: Governor needs to raise auto emissions ...

Kansas needs to be at the forefront of environmental legislation.

/news/2009/feb/17/editorial_governor_needs/

A Q&A with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius

Kansas' governor discusses the issues.

/news/2008/nov/03/q_gov_kathleen_sebelius/

Optimism, commitment top Chancellor's goals

Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little’s inaugural speech emphasized academic success, dedication to research initiatives.

/news/2010/apr/12/optimism-commitment-tops-chancellors-goals/

Affordable Care Act insures young adults

The Affordable Care Act has caused an increase in the amount of ...

/news/2011/sep/21/act-insures/

Live Blog: Midterm Elections

Follow our coverage of local elections from reporters and wire services throughout ...

/news/2010/nov/02/live-blog-midterm-elections/

Obama speaks to El Dorado, KC to ...

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius openly supported Obama for the first time yesterday.

/news/2008/jan/30/obama_speaks_el_dorado_kc_campaign_caucus/

Internships offer experience in politics

The political science department enrolls students in Washington, D.C., and Topeka internship ...

/news/2007/sep/17/Internship/

Sen. Barack Obama picks Sen. Joe Biden ...

After months of speculation, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee announces his running ...

/news/2008/aug/23/sen_barack_obama_picks_sen_joe_biden_delaware_vp/

Border rivalry reaches state leaders

Plenty of people place strange wagers on games, but this one comes ...

/news/2007/nov/21/border_rivalry_reaches_state_leaders/

State to honor Falkenstien

/news/2006/apr/26/falkenstein_brief/

Professor to give lecture on campaign ads

The lecture will cover Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s campaign advertisements and ...

/news/2008/oct/10/campaign_ads/

Editorial: Tobacco tax, decrease deficit

Editorial board discusses the benefits of raising the tobacco tax.

/news/2009/oct/08/editorial-tobacco-tax/

Holmes: Svaty is best pick for Democrats’ ...

Holmes on the best man for the left.

/news/2009/sep/09/svaty_best_pick_democrats_next_gubernatorial_candi/

Future admission requirements may change

Kansas Governor and Regents discuss elevating school rankings by toughening standards.

/news/2009/aug/31/admission_requirements/

Cohen: The coolest judge on the Court

A look back at Justice David Souter.

/news/2009/may/06/cohen_coolest/

Brownback focuses on taxes in State of ...

The governor hopes to eliminate income tax to bring more businesses to ...

/news/2012/jan/11/brownback-state/

New state budget slices $2M from education

University officials say reductions were less than expected from Gov. Parkinson’s latest ...