Tom Arpke (born February 6, 1952) is a former Republican member of the Kansas Senate, representing the 24th district from 2013 to 2017. The American Conservative Union gave him a lifetime rating of 84%.

Tom Arpke
Member of the Kansas Senate
from the 24th district
In office
January 9, 2013 – January 10, 2017
Preceded byPete Brungardt
Succeeded byRandall Hardy
Member of the Kansas House of Representatives
from the 69th district
In office
January 10, 2011 – January 9, 2013
Preceded byDeena Horst
Succeeded byJ. R. Claeys
Personal details
Born (1952-02-06) February 6, 1952 (age 72)[1]
El Paso, Texas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseBeth Arpke
Children5
ResidenceSalina, Kansas
Alma materFlorida State University
ProfessionTravel agent, consultant

Arpke is a Salina travel agent and consultant,[2] and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology from Florida State University. He and his wife, Beth, have five children including Kellan Arpke, who is a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. Arpke was elected to the Kansas House in 2010 and filed for the Senate race in 2012.[3]

Elections edit

2009 edit

Arpke was elected to the Salina city commission in 2009, receiving a total of 2,386 votes, winning by 332.

2010 edit

Arpke defeated incumbent Deena Horst in the House District 69 Republican primary on August 3, 2010 by a margin of 1,205-898. Horst was seeking her ninth term. He defeated Gerrett Morris (D) in the general election on November 2, 2010, by 3,733 to 2,106 votes.

2012 edit

Arpke defeated incumbent Pete Brungardt in the Republican Senate primary on August 7, 2012 by a 5,413-4,354 margin.[4][5] He defeated Democratic nominee Janice Norlin in the 2012 general election.[6]

2016 edit

Arpke lost the Republican primary to Randall R. Hardy, when he ran for reelection to the state senate.[7]

Committee assignments edit

Sen. Arpke served on these legislative committees:

  • Ways and Means
  • Education (vice-chairman)
  • Natural Resources
  • Legislative Educational Planning Committee[2]

Major donors edit

Some of the top contributors to Arpke's 2012 campaign, according to Project Vote Smart:[8]

In addition, a number of contributors gave $1,000 each.

Personal life edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Tom Arpke's Political Summary". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Senator Tom Arpke". Kansas Legislature. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  3. ^ "Tom Arpke". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  4. ^ Kansas Secretary of State, "Candidates for the 2012 Primary (official),"
  5. ^ Kansas Secretary of State, Official 2012 Primary Results Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  6. ^ Kansas Secretary of State, "2012 Kansas General Election Results,"
  7. ^ Kansas Secretary of State, "2016 Kansas General Election Results,", Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  8. ^ Project Vote Smart campaign contributions

External links edit