Jake LaTurner


Jacob LaTurner is an American politician, currently serving as the Kansas State Treasurer. A Republican, LaTurner previously served in the Kansas State Senate from 2013 until 2017. Upon his appointment as State Treasurer, LaTurner became the youngest current statewide official in the United States. He was reelected to the post in his own right in 2018, becoming the youngest current elected statewide official in the United States. LaTurner briefly announced a campaign for the United States Senate in the 2020 election but quickly dropped out, opting instead to run for the United States House of Representatives seat representing. He is mounting a primary challenge to Republican incumbent Steve Watkins.

Early life and education

LaTurner is a native of Southeast Kansas and was born and raised in Galena, Kansas. He graduated from Galena High School and enrolled at Pittsburg State University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science. LaTurner worked for former Kansas Treasurer and Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins during his time in college in her Pittsburg district office.

Kansas State Senator

LaTurner was elected to the Kansas State Senate in 2012 at the age of 24, becoming the youngest member of that body. Stating he was trying to keep Kansas capital Topeka from becoming Washington D.C., he immediately set out to impose term limits on state legislators, reform the process for requesting public records, and combat nepotism within the legislature. LaTurner faced opposition on these issues, seen as extremely ambitious, particularly the term limits. Both Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives Ray Merrick, a Republican, and Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley publicly opposed the reforms.
LaTurner's time in the Senate also gained notoriety in February 2015, when he was the lead sponsor on legislation allowing Kansas adults to carry firearms without needing a concealed carry permit. In 2016, he authored a bill limiting property tax increases.

Kansas State Treasurer

LaTurner was appointed Kansas State Treasurer in April 2017. He replaced Ron Estes who had been elected to the United States House of Representatives for. Appointed at the age of 29, LaTurner became the youngest statewide official in the United States. Upon election in his own right in 2018, he became the youngest statewide elected official in the United States.
As State Treasurer, one of LaTurner's primary responsibilities is to oversee unclaimed property, over which there is over $350 million worth in Kansas. LaTurner completed a 105 County Tour within 5 months during his first year in office, and returned over $10 million during the tour. During LaTurner's first year in office, he returned a record amount of unclaimed property to Kansans, over $25.5 million. “Every dollar we return to the people of Kansas is a dollar that goes back into their local communities,” LaTurner said. “Not only have we returned a record amount of money to Kansans, but we have made the process more user friendly and we have improved the service offered to Kansans.”
LaTurner also administers the Kansas Learning Quest 529 Education Savings and ABLE Savings Programs, which assist Kansans in saving for their future. During his first year in office, LaTurner implemented changes to the Kansas Learning Quest and ABLE Savings Programs. Under these changes, individuals living with a disability are able to roll over saved funds within a 529 Education Savings Account into their ABLE Account. Additionally, Learning Quest 529 Education Savings Account holders can utilize their funds for K-12 education tuition.

''LaTurner v. United States''

As Kansas Treasurer, LaTurner continued a legal case against the United States Department of the Treasury which requested the federal government return the proceeds from matured bonds to Kansas. Though a judge in a lower court sided with the state of Kansas, requiring the federal government to return approximately $150 million in savings bonds to the state of Kansas, the United States Court of Appeals overturned that decision and found in favor of the federal government. The bonds will still be returned to Kansans, but that process will be overseen at the federal, rather than state, level.

2020 elections

Senate campaign

On January 8, 2019, LaTurner announced his candidacy for the United States Senate in the 2020 election, hoping to succeed 4-term incumbent Pat Roberts. LaTurner's announcement came roughly 2 weeks after Roberts' announced his intention to retire in 2021. Announcing his candidacy at age 30, the minimum age the United States Constitution requires a Senator to be, LaTurner was criticized by members of both major parties for being overly ambitious. As LaTurner's next election as State Treasurer would not be until 2022, the Senate campaign was considered relatively low-stakes.
During his campaign, LaTurner attempted to frame himself as a "conservative fighter." He supported the proposed "Trump Wall," an expansion of the physical barrier along the Mexico–United States border, argued for fiscal responsibility, and term limits for federally elected politicians.
LaTurner stated in several interviews that he would step aside and drop out of the race should United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo opt to run for the seat, as many in the Republican Party were hoping he would. In one interview, LaTurner stated he would be the "first to support ," while in another he said Pompeo had "right up to the last minute, he can decide to run."
On September 9, 2019, LaTurner suspended his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, opting instead to run for the U.S. House in the 2020 election.

U.S. House campaign

While LaTurner was running his Senate campaign, incumbent Republican Representative for Steve Watkins was becoming embattled in several controversies, including that he inflated his business resume, was not present for important votes, voting fraud and allegations of sexual misconduct. Watkins and his staff had edited his Wikipedia page to remove content relating to the controversies. Many speculated Watkins was planning on resigning prior to the end of his term, which he adamantly denied. In response, former Governor of Kansas Jeff Colyer publicly encouraged LaTurner to consider challenging Watkins for the seat.
LaTurner announced he would end his Senate campaign in order to challenge Watkins on September 4, 2019. In an interview with Politico, LaTurner said, "At the end of the day, we don't want to see another congressional seat be turned over to the Democrats in Kansas...Congressman Watkins, without question, puts this seat in jeopardy this cycle." Watkins had been elected in 2018 by a margin of less than 1%. LaTurner was able to move $470,000 cash on hand from his Senate campaign to his House campaign, giving him a large advantage over Watkins who had only $260,000 at the time of LaTurner's announcement. Watkins is being charged with interference with law enforcement, providing false information; voting without being qualified; unlawful advance voting; and failing to notify the DMV of change of address.