Kathleen Sebelius

Kathleen Sebelius (born May 15, 1948, in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an American politician who is the current governor of Kansas. A Democrat, she became Kansas' 44th governor in 2003 after defeating Republican Tim Shallenburger in the election of 2002 by a vote of 53%-45%. Sebelius's victory was the result of a bitter divide between conservatives and moderates within the Kansas Republican Party, and the spoiler effect of a relatively strong thrid-party candidate. This divide is touched upon in Thomas Frank's bestseller What's the Matter with Kansas? and has been used to argue for preferential voting.

Related Topics:
May 15 - 1948 - Cincinnati - Ohio - American - Governor - Kansas - Democrat - 2003 - Republican - Spoiler - What's the Matter with Kansas? - Preferential voting

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Kathleen is the daughter of former Ohio governor John J. Gilligan. She and her father were the first father/daughter governor pair in the United States. She moved to Kansas in 1974, where she served for eight years as a representative in the state legislature and eight years as insurance commissioner before being elected governor. Sebelius was briefly mentioned as a possible running mate for 2004 Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, though Sebelius remained adamant that her governorship was the central and only focus of her political life. Her husband, Gary Sebelius, a federal magistrate judge, is the son of former Congressman Keith Sebelius. They have two sons, Ned (b. 1982) and John (b. 1985).

Related Topics:
Ohio - John J. Gilligan - 1974 - 2004 - John Kerry - Gary Sebelius - Congressman - Keith Sebelius - 1982 - 1985

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In the aftermath of Senator Kerry's defeat in the 2004 presidential election, some pundits named Sebelius as a potential candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008. Though Sebelius's political leanings, including support for abortion rights and opposition to capital punishment, are unusually liberal for a governor of Kansas, many contend that her appeal would be broad among Midwesterners. Despite her liberal credentials, Sebelius also is known for her support for gun rights (this is debatable, she did veto the concealed carry law that the legislature put on her desk) and support of some pro-business economic policies.

Related Topics:
2004 presidential election - 2008 - Abortion - Capital punishment

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In the months since the Republican victory in 2004, Sebelius's name has rapidly diminished in strength on the shortening lists of potential presidential contenders in 2008. Even if she doesn't seek the presidency or receive a vice-presidential nod that year, many in Kansas believe she will seek higher office. She will be seeking re-election to the governorship in 2006, currently with no opposition. It is possible that, building on her ability to win statewide election in a heavily Republican state, in 2010 she will seek to become the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Kansas since 1932.

Related Topics:
2004 - 2008 - 2006 - 2010 - U.S. Senate - 1932

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