TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced her intention to appoint David Toland, Secretary for the Kansas Department of Commerce, to become her Lieutenant Governor when current Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers vacates the position in January.
“Replacing Lynn Rogers is no small task, but of all the candidates I considered, David is ready to hit the ground running in his new role,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I have been impressed throughout his tenure as Commerce Secretary by his enthusiasm, energy, and commitment to economic development and business recruitment. I look forward to our continued partnership as he takes on his new responsibilities in the Lieutenant Governor’s office.”
The Lieutenant Governor vacancy was initiated by Governor Kelly’s decision to appoint Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers to become the Kansas State Treasurer. Secretary Toland will be sworn in as Lieutenant Governor in January. He will continue to serve as Commerce Secretary while taking on the duties of the Lieutenant Governor.
“David and I have worked closely over the past two years on our shared initiative to lead the Office of Rural Prosperity,” Lieutenant Governor Lynn Rogers said. “I am impressed by his work ethic and his commitment to improving the lives of Kansans statewide. I know that he will make an excellent Lieutenant Governor and that he will smoothly transition into the new role.”
The Lieutenant Governor works with state commissions and on issues most important to the Governor. In the event that the Governor cannot perform his or her duties, the Lieutenant Governor takes on the role of the Governor. The office of the Lieutenant Governor is on the ballot at the invitation of the Governor and serves four years, elected during midterm years.
“I’m deeply honored to serve Governor Kelly and the people of Kansas in this additional capacity as Lieutenant Governor, and to continue the important work launched by Lieutenant Governor Rogers with the Office of Rural Prosperity,” Commerce Secretary David Toland said. “Jobs and economic growth have never been more important than now, and building on the tremendous gains of the economic development team at the Department of Commerce will continue to be my focus going forward. I’m grateful to be working alongside the ‘Economic Development Governor’ as we build on the state’s business development successes and accelerate the state’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Several officials with Kansas businesses and chambers of commerce spoke out in support of Toland’s appointment to the Lieutenant Governor position Monday.
