Mark Parkinson

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.

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)

"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)