Brownback picks state Sen. Jeff Colyer as his running mate

TOPEKA – Overland Park plastic surgeon state Sen. Jeff Colyer is Sen. Sam Brownback's pick for lieutenant governor.

Brownback, the Republican front-runner for governor, made the announcement Tuesday in Overland Park to a crowd of over 100, then the duo embarked on a two-day, statewide tour.

"He is brilliant, he is extremely well qualified, he is talented," Brownback said describing Colyer.

Colyer currently represents Overland Park in the Kansas Senate, a post he was elected to in 2008. Prior to that he served in the Kansas House of Representatives.

"Sam gets things done for Kansas and I'm very proud to be his running mate," Colyer said.

Colyer was joined by his wife, Ruth, and daughters Alexandria, 15, Serena, 12, and Domino, 10. Brownback's wife Mary was also with them for the announcement.

Brownback said that the campaign would soon be unveiling its "Kansas Roadmap" which he promised would focus on creating jobs, supporting education and strengthening families.

Kansans want more jobs and more business in the state, Colyer said. "We want to grow."

"You can't just keep doing the same old thing over and over again," he said.

Brownback and Colyer will face off against Joan Heffington in the primary. The winner of that race will face Democratic candidate Tom Holland in the November general election.

The pair will end their first day of the tour with a similar announcement at 4:30 p.m. at the Wichita Courtyard by Marriott, Sunflower Room, 2975 N. Webb Road.

For more, read Wednesday's Wichita Eagle.

This story was originally published June 1, 2010 at 10:28 AM with the headline "Brownback picks state Sen. Jeff Colyer as his running mate."