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• Mark Parkinson is the 45th Governor of Kansas. As lieutenant governor, he was sworn into office upon the resignation of Kathleen Sebelius on April 28, 2009, when she was confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Obama administration.

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: June 24, 1957
  2. Birthplace: Wichita, Kansas
  3. Education: BA Wichita State University (1980), JD, University of Kansas Law School (1984)Kansas Democratic Party: Sebelius names Parkinson as Lt. Governor candidate (May 31, 2006)
  4. Spouse: Stacy Abbott Parkinson
  5. Family: Alex (20), Sam (17) and Kit (11)Kansas Democratic Party: Sebelius names Parkinson as Lt. Governor candidate (May 31, 2006)
  6. 1986: Entered private practice in his own firm, Parkinson, Foth & Orrick Kansas Democratic Party: Sebelius names Parkinson as Lt. Governor candidate (May 31, 2006)
  7. Began a business in assisted living facilitiesKansas Democratic Party: Sebelius names Parkinson as Lt. Governor candidate (May 31, 2006)
  8. Elected Kansas House of Representatives in 1990
  9. Elected to the Kansas Senate 1992Kansas Democratic Party: Sebelius names Parkinson as Lt. Governor candidate (May 31, 2006)
  10. Was the chairman of the Kansas Republican Party from 1999-2003CBS News: Ex-Kansas GOP Chair Switches Affiliation (May 30, 2009)
  11. Became a Democrat shortly before Sebelius asked him to run for Lieutenant GovernorCBS News: Ex-Kansas GOP Chair Switches Affiliation (May 30, 2009)

• Switching Parties

  Like Sebelius, Parkinson began his political career as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives, eventually rising to the status of the chairman of the Republican Party between 1999-2003. After weeks of rumors that Sebelius might choose the then-Republican Parkinson as a running mate, he switched parties in May of 2006.CBS News: Ex-Kansas GOP Chair Switches Affiliation (May 30, 2009)

• Quote

  "The question remains whether it is an isolated case of a disgruntled Republican seizing an opportunity for office. Or whether Parkinson's switch indicates an undercurrent that will pull more moderate Republicans out of the fractured GOP."—Topeka Capital-Journal June 6, 2006Capital-Journal: Parkinson's party switch causes debate (June 2, 2006)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Kansas | Kansas City | Kansas Election Results | Wichita State University | Arlen Specter | Kathleen Sebelius | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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