Rick Kloos
Rick Kloos is a Republican member of the Kansas Senate, representing the 19th district, which covers Topeka and eastern Shawnee County, western Douglas County and all of Osage County and Jefferson County.[1] On November 3, 2020, he defeated Anthony Hensley, who had been holding office in the Kansas statehouse for 44 years, by 51.2% to 48.8%.[2][3]
Rick Kloos | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Kansas Senate from the 19th district | |
| Assumed office January 11, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony Hensley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Miltonvale, Kansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Pennie Kloos |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Trinity College, Ellendale, North Dakota (BA) |
| Website | Official website |
Career
In June 2009, Rick started God’s Storehouse in Topeka, Kansas, a church that operates a non-profit, community thrift store with over 45 employees.[4]
2018 Kansas Governor campaign
Kloos ran for Kansas Governor in 2018 as an independent.[5] Kloos son, Nathaniel Kloos, was his running mate.[5] They finished last and received 0.6% of the total vote for Governor.[1]
2020 Kansas 19th Senate district campaign
Kloos ran unchallenged in the GOP primary; however, he received 6,758 in the primary.[6] He beat Anthony Hensley 15,865 votes to 15,116 votes, 51.2% to 48.8%, by 749 votes in the November 3, 2020 general election—in what Titus Wu of the Topeka Capitol-Journal has called "a huge upset victory".[3][2] Hensley had at least three times the campaign budget that Kloos had.[1] Kloos is pro-life and was endorsed by Kansans for Life.[1] Hensley had represented the area for 44 years as either the state representative or state senator.
Personal life
Kloos and his wife Pennie have been married for 34 years and have lived in Berryton, Kansas for 22 years. They have four grown boys, along with three grandchildren.
References
- Carpenter, Tim. Ill-fated campaign for Kan. governor guides shocking run against icon Hensley, Hays Post, Eagle Communications, November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- Election Results, KSNT-TV Channel 27, Topeka, Kansas, November 6, 2020.
- Wu, Titus. Rick Kloos pulls upset win over Anthony Hensley; GOP sweeps Topeka’s Kansas Senate races, Topeka Capitol-Journal, November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- About, God's Storehouse, Topeka, Kansas. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- Clarkin, Mary. High school dropout running for governor, Hutchinson News, December 27, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- Feuerborn, Mark. Topeka thrift store founder ends state Democrat leader Hensley’s 27-year tenure, KSNT-TV Channel 27, Topeka, Kansas, November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.