Mike Kuckelman is an American lawyer and politician from Kansas. He served as the chairman of the Kansas Republican Party from February 2019 to February 2023.[1]
Early life
A Catholic, Kuckelman attended the private Maur Hill Prep School. Kuckelman then attended Washburn University receiving a BBA in accounting in 1986. He then attended the Washburn University School of Law receiving a J.D. and admittance to the Kansas Bar in 1990. He than began his legal career first working as an associate at the law firm Blackwell Sanders (now Husch Blackwell) and later as a partner at the law firm Kuckelman-Torline-Kirkland. He specialized in European litigation, spending most of his time in London and was one of the lead attorneys appointed by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York to litigate the World Trade Center cases after the September 11 attacks.[2]
Political career
Chairman of the Kansas Republican Party
Kuckelman became chairman of the Kansas Republican Party in February 2019 promising to continue the advancement of Republican principles.[1] He was heavily involved in the 2022 Kansas gubernatorial election against Democratic governor Laura Kelly and promising to defeat her soundly.[3][4] However, partly due to Senator Dennis Pyle changing party affiliation and obtaining enough signatures to file for the governor seat as an Independent, Derek Schmidt the Republican Party candidate for the governor's office was defeated with 47.3% to Kelly's 49.5%.[5][6] He did not seek another term, actively campaigned against and was replaced by Mike Brown in February 2023.[7]
Other offices
Kuckelman was selected as a delegate to the 2016, 2020 and most recently the 2024 Republican National Conventions.[8] He also acted as a spokesmen for Kansas City's, and by extension the whole Kansas City metropolitan area's unsuccessful bid to host the 2024 convention.[8]
References
- ^ a b "Party Leadership". kansas.gop. Kansas Republican Party. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ "Attorney Michael J. Kuckelman". www.ktk-law.com. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ Smith, Steve (November 21, 2020). "Kansas GOP chairman criticizes Kelly". newstalkkzrg.com. Zimmer Radio. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ Schmidt, Heidi (March 20, 2022). "4Star Politics: Status check with 6 months to general elections". fox4kc.com. Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ Carpenter, Tim (November 14, 2022). "Kansas GOP wants to sanction Republicans who signed Pyle's gubernatorial petition". lawrencekstimes.com. States Newsroom. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ Wirestone, Clay (November 16, 2022). "As Trump announces, Kansas GOP follows his lead and plots revenge. But there's another way". kansasreflector.com. States Newsroom. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ "Kansas Republicans pick election conspiracy promoter Mike Brown as their new leader - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. February 11, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
- ^ a b James, Emma (October 26, 2021). "Former delegate hopeful for a Kansas City Republican National Convention". www.kshb.com. E. W. Scripps Company. Retrieved January 17, 2023.