Phil Hermanson


Phil Hermanson is a former member of the Kansas House of Representatives for District 96 and 98, serving from 2008 to 2012. He is a Republican. His districts included southwest Wichita, Kansas. He resigned in 2013.

Early life, education, and career

Hermanson is a lifelong resident of Wichita, Kansas. After graduating Goddard High School, five miles from Wichita, Kansas, he joined the United States Navy and served as a deep sea diver from 1983 to 1990. While in the military, Hermanson attended the University of Virginia and pursued his bachelor's degree in business.

Kansas Legislature

2008 election

On November 4, 2008, Hermanson was elected to the 96th District Seat in the Kansas House of Representatives to represent the southern district of Wichita, Kansas, defeating Terry McLachlan. Hermanson raised $18,340 for his campaign, while McLachlan raised $43,623.
;Kansas House of Representatives, District 96
CandidatesVotesPercent
Phil Hermanson 3,44250.2%
Terry McLachlan 3,41449.7%

2010 election

Hermanson won re-election to represent southern Wichita, Kansas for the 96th District seat against Brandon Whipple. Hermanson had no opposition in the GOP primary. The general election took place on November 2, 2010, in Wichita, Kansas.
Kansas House of Representatives, District 96 General Election
CandidatesVotes
Phil Hermanson 2,660
Brandon Whipple 2,355

Kansas Redistricting 2012

The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States. It is mandated by Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution and takes place every 10 years. The data collected by the decennial census determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to local communities. Census data is also used to redistrict state legislative internal boundaries or districts. Through this process, Phil no longer represented the 96th District, but was now to represent the 98th District.

2012 election

Hermanson won re-election to represent southern Wichita, Kansas for the 98th District seat against Geraldine Flaharty. The general election took place on November 6, 2012, in Wichita, Kansas.
Kansas House of Representatives, District 98 General Election
CandidatesVotes
Phil Hermanson 3,108
Geraldine Flaharty 2,982

Committee Assignments

Committee Assignments for 2009-2010
Committee Assignments for 2011-2012
Joint Committee Assignments for 2011-2012
The top 5 donors to Hermanson's 2012 campaign:
The top 5 donors to Hermanson's 2010 campaign:
On May 26, 2010, Hermanson was found guilty of DUI resulting from a November 2009 incident in Wichita. He pleaded no contest. On July 8, 2010, he was sentenced to one-year probation for driving under the influence of prescription drugs. Additionally, was ordered to pay a $500 fine and court costs. He paid the fine within 30 days of the order, and completed his probation successfully.
On May 16, 2012, the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission fined Hermanson's treasurer $500 for failing to provide documentation for $3700 in expenditures by the 2010 campaign.
Hermanson was appointed Director of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment but was not confirmed by the State Senate. Questions were raised about his recent bankruptcy, unpaid taxes and a DUI conviction, as well as general competency for the job since he did not have a background in either law or insurance. He resigned after only a few months.