Kansas senator’s request to get off ballot denied. She didn’t have a doctor’s note

Sen. Julia Lynn, a longtime Olathe Republican, won’t be coming off the November ballot after the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office denied her request.

Kansas law allows candidates to drop out only under limited circumstances. Lynn on Tuesday cited an exemption for candidates with a severe medical hardship within their immediate family. She said in a Facebook post that her sister had experienced declining health.

The law requires a signed note from a medical doctor. But Secretary of State Scott Schwab’s office said Wednesday that Lynn had turned in a note from a nurse.

“The Secretary of State has determined the paperwork submitted to this office does not meet the statutory requirement of a medical doctor’s signature. As a result, your name will remain on the 2020 General Election candidate list as a Republican candidate for Kansas Senate District 9,” the office said in a letter to Lynn.

Lynn didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lynn, 63, has served in the Senate for 15 years. She chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, where she has called for more oversight of the state’s economic development incentives.

She ran unopposed in the August primary election in the strong Republican district. Her Democratic opponent, Stacey Knoell, has worked as a sign language interpreter and math teacher.

Clay Barker, deputy general counsel in the secretary of state’s office, said Lynn hasn’t resigned her seat. If she wins reelection, the senator could resign, which would allow Republican precinct members to select a replacement.

This story was originally published September 2, 2020 at 5:43 PM.