Admitting he’s a longshot, Mike Bruner said Tuesday he was on his way to Topeka today to file to run for the 12th District seat in the Kansas Senate, held for the last two terms by Caryn Tyson of Parker.
Bruner is running as a Democrat. He retired in 2017 from a 40-year career teaching American and world history at Chanute High School. The last few years Bruner has been busy lighting the fire under the long-defunct chapter of the Allen County Democratic Party, of which he now serves as chairman. Only about 18% of registered voters in Allen County are Democrats.
Bruner is 68 and lives in Humboldt with his wife, Glenda.
The 12th District comprises the counties of Allen, Anderson, Franklin, Linn, a large part of Miami County and a sliver of Bourbon.
This is Bruner’s second attempt to run for office. In 2018, he ran for Allen County Commissioner.
“I didn’t want the race to go uncontested,” Bruner said of his filing for the position.
He considers himself a progressive and a champion for the underserved.
Bruner said Tyson’s campaign likely has more funds now “than I’ll ever raise.”
Running for a legislative seat takes “time and money,” he said. “I’ve got the time.”
Bruner blames the dearth of candidates on the position itself.
“Someone either has to have a very understanding boss or a very flexible job to serve in Topeka,” he said.
The only answer, he surmised, is to make the position a full-time job that pays more.
Roger Sims of Parker is Bruner’s campaign manager and Tom Wegand of Ottawa is serving as his campaign treasurer.
