Patton M. Apple, known as Pat, (born August 31, 1957) was a Republican member of the Kansas Senate, representing the 37th district from 2013 to 2014. He succeeded Robert Tyson to represent the 12th district from 2005 to 2013. After redistricting for the 2012 elections, he filed for the District 37 seat. The American Conservative Union gave him a 92% evaluation. He was previously involved in the Board of Education for the Unified School District 416 (1991–2003). From 2003 to 2005, he was a Miami County Commissioner for District 4.

Pat Apple
Member of the Kansas Senate
from the 37th district
In office
January 14, 2013 – April 10, 2014
Preceded byRaymond Merrick
Succeeded byMolly Baumgardner
Member of the Kansas Senate
from the 12th district
In office
January 10, 2005 – January 14, 2013
Preceded byRobert Tyson
Succeeded byCaryn Tyson
Personal details
Born (1957-08-31) August 31, 1957 (age 66)[1]
Political partyRepublican
SpouseDebbie Apple
Children2
ResidenceLouisburg
OccupationMaster Electrician and Electrical Contractor

He resigned in April 2014 to become a member of the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC), a state agency which regulates motor carriers, public utilities, pipelines and the oil and gas industries. He was appointed to the post by Gov. Sam Brownback on March 24, 2014, and confirmed by a Kansas Senate vote on April 6, 2014.[2] He became chairman of the board in January 2017, and his terms expired in March 2018. In December 2017, he announced that he would not be seeking reappointment to the board for another four-year term.[3]

Committee assignments edit

Apple served on these legislative committees:[4]

  • Utilities (chair)
  • Ethics and Elections (vice-chair)
  • Assessment and Taxation
  • Joint Committee on Energy and Environmental Policy
  • Organization, Calendar and Rules
  • Joint Committee on State Building Construction
  • Transportation

edit

Apple co-sponsored a resolution claiming states' rights,[5] a resolution encouraging the formation of a U.S. Airborne Laser defense program,[6] a resolution supporting the formation of a budget stabilization fund,[7] and a bill concerning crimes involving alcohol.[8]

Major donors edit

Some of the top contributors to Apple's 2008 campaign, according to OpenSecrets:[9]

Kansas Republican Senatorial Committee, Kansas Chamber of Commerce, Koch Industries, Cox Communications, Kansas Contractors Association, Kansas Bankers Association

Energy and natural resources companies were his largest donor group.

Elections edit

2012 edit

After redistricting for the 2012 election, Apple filed for the Senate District 37 seat. Apple defeated Daniel B. Campbell and Kansas House member Charlotte O'Hara in the August 7 Republican primary and was unopposed in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[10][11]

The Senate District 37 seat was held by Ray Merrick from 2011 to 2013. Merrick, a former state representative, chose to run for House District 27 in 2012, with the expressed intent of being elected speaker of the House. Merrick went on to win the House seat and was elected House speaker on Dec. 2, 2012.[12]

References edit

  1. ^ "Kansas Legislators, Past and Present - Apple, Pat". kslib.info. State Library of Kansas. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  2. ^ Hart, Megan (April 11, 2014). "New KCC Commissioner: Only Agenda Is To Serve Kansas". cjonline.com. Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  3. ^ Carpenter, Tim (December 13, 2017). "Pat Apple, KCC chairman, plans to step down from regulatory board". cjonline.com. Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  4. ^ "Senator Pat Apple". kslegislature.org. Kansas Legislature. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  5. ^ "SR 1615" (PDF). kslegislature.org. [dead link]
  6. ^ "SR 1859" (PDF). kslegislature.org. [dead link]
  7. ^ "SR 1614" (PDF). kslegislature.org. [dead link]
  8. ^ "SB 517" (PDF). kslegislature.org. [dead link]
  9. ^ Pat Apple 2008 campaign contributions OpenSecrets
  10. ^ "Kansas Secretary of State". sos.ks.gov. [dead link]
  11. ^ "Kansas Secretary of State, "2012 Kansas General Election Results," accessed April 2, 2013". Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
  12. ^ "House elects Ray Merrick new Speaker | CJOnline.com". Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2013.

External links edit