Kris Kobach
Encyclopedia
Kris W. Kobach is the Secretary of State
of Kansas
. He is also currently of counsel
with the Immigration Law Reform Institute in Washington, D.C.
He is a former chairman of Kansas Republican Party
and city councilman in Overland Park, Kansas
. He ran unsuccessfully for Kansas's 3rd congressional district
in 2004
. In May 2009, he announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Secretary of State. In August 2010, he won the Republican nomination for Secretary of State in a three-way race, carrying 50 percent of the vote, and was elected Secretary of State in the general election in a 59–37 percent vote.
in Topeka, Kansas
in 1984. Four years later, he earned an A.B. (summa cum laude) in Government
from Harvard College
, graduating first in his class in the Government Department. Subsequently, the Court of St. James
awarded him a Marshall Scholarship
, which allowed him to earn M.A.
and D.Phil.
degrees in Politics from Oxford University (in 1990 and 1992, respectively). He then returned to the United States and attended the Yale Law School
, where he earned his J.D.
in 1995 and served as an editor on the Yale Law Journal
. During this time, he published two books: The Referendum: Direct Democracy in Switzerland (Dartmouth, 1994), and Political Capital: The Motives, Tactics, and Goals of Politicized Businesses in South Africa (University Press of America, 1990).
of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
in Lawrence, Kansas
. He began his professorship at UMKC shortly thereafter.
In 2001, President
George W. Bush
awarded him a White House Fellowship to work for Attorney General John Ashcroft
. At the end of the fellowship, he stayed on as Counsel to the Attorney General. Shortly after the attacks of September 11, 2001, he led a team of attorneys and researchers who formulated and established the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System. In addition, he took part in work to reshape the Board of Immigration Appeals
in 2002. After his government service ended, he returned to UMKC, where he holds a chaired professorship.
) in a lawsuit against the state of Kansas, challenging a state law which grants in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. The suit was dismissed for lack of legal standing for the plaintiffs.
In 2005, Kobach filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Immigration Reform Law Institute, challenging a similar law in California. In September 2008, the California Court of Appeal held that California's law granting in-state tuition rates to illegal aliens was preempted by federal law. (Martinez v. Regents, 166 Cal. App. 4th 1121 (2008)).
In 2010, Kobach filed a third lawsuit, this time in Nebraska. The case is still pending.
Kobach has also litigated several lawsuits defending cities and states that adopt laws to discourage illegal immigration
. He served as lead lawyer defending the city of Valley Park, Missouri
in a federal case concerning an ordinance that sanctioned employers who hire unauthorized aliens. The ordinance was upheld by Missouri federal judge E. Richard Webber on January 31, 2008 (Gray v. Valley Park, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7238). The ACLU, representing the plaintiff, appealed the case to the Eighth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals. Kobach prevailed in the appeal, and the Court allowed the Valley Park ordinance to stand (Gray v. Valley Park, 567 F.3d 976 (8th Cir. 2009)).
Kobach is also the lead attorney defending the city of Hazleton, Pennsylvania
, whose anti-immigration ordinances had been struck down by a federal judge in Pennsylvania and again before the Third Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals.
He is currently involved with another lawsuit, involving a Farmers Branch, Texas
ordinance that prevents landlords from renting to illegal immigrants. That case is on appeal before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
, passed in 2010, which has been described as tougher than Arizona's controversial law. Alabama State Senator Scott Beason
and Representative Micky Hammon
met Kobach at an Eagle Forum of Alabama
conference in Birmingham
. They worked closely with Kobach to draft the bill so that it would survive judicial review.
, and Lightner was a six-year veteran state legislator).
He lost to incumbent Dennis Moore
, 55%–43%. The victory was the largest of Moore's congressional campaigns.
The campaign thrust Kobach onto the national stage, mostly due to his stances illegal immigration issues and campaign contributions he received from groups reportedly tied to white supremacists. He was given a speaking role on the opening day of the 2004 Republican National Convention
and used his slot to call for the U.S. military to be sent to the Mexican border to block illegal immigration.
, serving until January, 2009.
Kobach's chairmanship was noted for the broad changes he introduced to election efforts. As Chairman, he raised money for targeted statewide and legislative races and instituted a direct-role policy for the state party in those races. He also pushed the State Committee to create a "loyalty committee", which was charged with sanctioning Republicans who assisted Democratic candidates in contested races. This led to several party officers being stripped of voting rights in party matters as punishment for giving campaign contributions to Democratic Candidates. Despite the resulting intra-party turmoil, Kansas Republicans enjoyed unusual success at the polls—in 2008, Kansas was one of only five states in the country where Republicans gained a congressional seat. The Kansas Republican Party also increased its majority in the Kansas Senate, claiming 31 out of 40 seats.
After Kobach left office, a Federal Elections Commission audit strongly criticized Kobach's financial management of the Kansas Republican Party. The FEC audit found that when the Kobach served as chairman, the state party failed to pay state and federal taxes. It was also discovered that illegal contributions were accepted.
On November 2, 2010, Kobach defeated incumbent Democrat
Chris Biggs
, 59%–37%. Kobach was endorsed by former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson, as well as former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft
(his former boss at the Dept. of Justice). Arizona's Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio
campaigned for Kobach as well.
Kobach's treasury secretary, Tom Aprke, was accused of hiding campaign contributions and expenditures.
township
through the Get Ahead Foundation.) He has also served as a Big Brother
. He was a national rowing champion (men's pair event, master's division in 1998; men's double event, master's division, 2001, 2002). He is also an Eagle Scout
.
He is currently a member of Christ Church, Anglican.
Secretary of State of Kansas
The Secretary of State of Kansas is one of the constitutional officers of the U.S. state of Kansas.-History:The first Secretary of State for Kansas was John Winter Robinson, a physician from Manhattan, Kansas...
of Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
. He is also currently of counsel
Of counsel
Of counsel is often the title of an attorney who is employed by a law firm or an organization, but is not an associate or a partner. Some firms use titles like "counsel," "special counsel," and "senior counsel" for the same concept...
with the Immigration Law Reform Institute in Washington, D.C.
He is a former chairman of Kansas Republican Party
Kansas Republican Party
The Kansas Republican Party is the state affiliate political party in Kansas of the United States Republican Party. The Chair of the Kansas Republican Party is Amanda Adkins.- Political history :...
and city councilman in Overland Park, Kansas
Overland Park, Kansas
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 149,080 people, 59,703 households, and 39,702 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,627.0 people per square mile . There were 62,586 housing units at an average density of 1,102.9 per square mile...
. He ran unsuccessfully for Kansas's 3rd congressional district
Kansas's 3rd congressional district
Kansas's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Kansas. Located in eastern Kansas, the district encompasses Wyandotte and Johnson counties, which include the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, and portions of Douglas County, which includes part of the college town...
in 2004
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. In May 2009, he announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Secretary of State. In August 2010, he won the Republican nomination for Secretary of State in a three-way race, carrying 50 percent of the vote, and was elected Secretary of State in the general election in a 59–37 percent vote.
Education
Kobach graduated from Washburn Rural High SchoolWashburn Rural High School
Washburn Rural High School is a fully accredited public high school located in southwest Topeka, Kansas, serving students in grades 9–12. The school is located right next to Washburn Rural Middle School. Edward Raines became the principal in 2007, replacing former principal Bill Edwards. The school...
in Topeka, Kansas
Topeka, Kansas
Topeka |Kansa]]: Tó Pee Kuh) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County. It is situated along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was...
in 1984. Four years later, he earned an A.B. (summa cum laude) in Government
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
, graduating first in his class in the Government Department. Subsequently, the Court of St. James
Politics of the United Kingdom
The politics of the United Kingdom takes place within the framework of a constitutional monarchy, in which the Monarch is the head of state and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is the head of government...
awarded him a Marshall Scholarship
Marshall Scholarship
The Marshall Scholarship, a postgraduate scholarships available to Americans, was created by the Parliament of the United Kingdom when the Marshall Aid Commemoration Act was passed in 1953. The scholarships serve as a living gift to the United States of America in recognition of the post-World War...
, which allowed him to earn M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
and D.Phil.
PHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
degrees in Politics from Oxford University (in 1990 and 1992, respectively). He then returned to the United States and attended the Yale Law School
Yale Law School
Yale Law School, or YLS, is the law school of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Established in 1824, it offers the J.D., LL.M., J.S.D. and M.S.L. degrees in law. It also hosts visiting scholars, visiting researchers and a number of legal research centers...
, where he earned his J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
in 1995 and served as an editor on the Yale Law Journal
Yale Law Journal
The Yale Law Journal is a student-run law review affiliated with the Yale Law School. Published continuously since 1891, it is the most widely known of the eight law reviews published by students at Yale Law School...
. During this time, he published two books: The Referendum: Direct Democracy in Switzerland (Dartmouth, 1994), and Political Capital: The Motives, Tactics, and Goals of Politicized Businesses in South Africa (University Press of America, 1990).
Early years
From 1995 to 1996, Kobach clerked for Judge Deanell Reece TachaDeanell Reece Tacha
Deanell Reece Tacha is a retired United States federal judge who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit....
of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Colorado* District of Kansas...
in Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
. He began his professorship at UMKC shortly thereafter.
In 2001, President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
awarded him a White House Fellowship to work for Attorney General John Ashcroft
John Ashcroft
John David Ashcroft is a United States politician who served as the 79th United States Attorney General, from 2001 until 2005, appointed by President George W. Bush. Ashcroft previously served as the 50th Governor of Missouri and a U.S...
. At the end of the fellowship, he stayed on as Counsel to the Attorney General. Shortly after the attacks of September 11, 2001, he led a team of attorneys and researchers who formulated and established the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System. In addition, he took part in work to reshape the Board of Immigration Appeals
Board of Immigration Appeals
The Board of Immigration Appeals is the part of the Executive Office for Immigration Review that reviews the decisions of the Immigration Courts and some decisions of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. It is an administrative appellate body that is part of the United States Department...
in 2002. After his government service ended, he returned to UMKC, where he holds a chaired professorship.
Immigration lawsuits
While running for Congress, Kobach represented out-of-state students (on behalf of Federation for American Immigration ReformFederation for American Immigration Reform
The Federation for American Immigration Reform is a non-profit tax exempt educational organization in the United States that advocates changes in U.S. immigration policy that would result in significant reductions in immigration, both legal and illegal...
) in a lawsuit against the state of Kansas, challenging a state law which grants in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. The suit was dismissed for lack of legal standing for the plaintiffs.
In 2005, Kobach filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Immigration Reform Law Institute, challenging a similar law in California. In September 2008, the California Court of Appeal held that California's law granting in-state tuition rates to illegal aliens was preempted by federal law. (Martinez v. Regents, 166 Cal. App. 4th 1121 (2008)).
In 2010, Kobach filed a third lawsuit, this time in Nebraska. The case is still pending.
Kobach has also litigated several lawsuits defending cities and states that adopt laws to discourage illegal immigration
Illegal immigration
Illegal immigration is the migration into a nation in violation of the immigration laws of that jurisdiction. Illegal immigration raises many political, economical and social issues and has become a source of major controversy in developed countries and the more successful developing countries.In...
. He served as lead lawyer defending the city of Valley Park, Missouri
Valley Park, Missouri
Valley Park is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 6,942 at the 2010 census.-History:The town was a Mississippian Indian settlement along the Meramec River as early as the mid-18th century, until it was settled by French and German immigrant farmers in the 1760s...
in a federal case concerning an ordinance that sanctioned employers who hire unauthorized aliens. The ordinance was upheld by Missouri federal judge E. Richard Webber on January 31, 2008 (Gray v. Valley Park, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7238). The ACLU, representing the plaintiff, appealed the case to the Eighth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals. Kobach prevailed in the appeal, and the Court allowed the Valley Park ordinance to stand (Gray v. Valley Park, 567 F.3d 976 (8th Cir. 2009)).
Kobach is also the lead attorney defending the city of Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Hazleton, Pennsylvania
Hazleton is a city in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 25,340 at the 2010 census, an increase of 8.6% from the 2000 census count .-Greater Hazleton:...
, whose anti-immigration ordinances had been struck down by a federal judge in Pennsylvania and again before the Third Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals.
He is currently involved with another lawsuit, involving a Farmers Branch, Texas
Farmers Branch, Texas
Farmers Branch is a city in Dallas County, Texas, United States. It is both an inner-ring suburb of Dallas and is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex. The population was 27,508 at the 2000 census. A July 1, 2008 U.S...
ordinance that prevents landlords from renting to illegal immigrants. That case is on appeal before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Arizona immigration law
Kobach played a significant role in the drafting of Arizona SB1070, a state law that attracted national attention as the country's broadest and strictest—at the state level—anti-illegal immigration measure in a long time, and has assisted in defending the state during the ongoing legal battle over SB 1070's legality. On February 7, 2008, Federal Judge Neil V. Wake ruled against a lawsuit filed by construction contractors and immigrant organizations who sought to halt a state law that imposes severe penalties on employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. The plaintiffs appealed the ruling, but Arizona prevailed (with Kobach's assistance) in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Chicanos por law Causa v. Napolitano, 558 F.3d 856 (2009)). The case is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court.Alabama immigration law
Kobach was also credited as a primary author of Alabama HB 56Alabama HB 56
Alabama HB 56, entitled the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, is an anti-illegal immigration bill, signed into law in the U.S. state of Alabama in June 2011...
, passed in 2010, which has been described as tougher than Arizona's controversial law. Alabama State Senator Scott Beason
Scott Beason
Scott Beason is a Republican member of the Alabama Senate, representing the 17th District since 2006. Previously he was a member of the Alabama House of Representatives from 1998 through 2006.-Early life:...
and Representative Micky Hammon
Micky Hammon
Micky Hammon is a Republican member of the Alabama House of Representatives, representing the 4th district, Limestone and Morgan counties. He was first elected in 2002 and currently serves as Majority Leader. Hammon currently works as an electrical contractor...
met Kobach at an Eagle Forum of Alabama
Eagle Forum
Eagle Forum is a conservative interest group in the United States founded by Phyllis Schlafly in 1972 and is the parent organization that also includes the Eagle Forum Education and Legal Defense Fund and the Eagle Forum PAC. The Eagle Forum has been primarily focused on social issues; it describes...
conference in Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
. They worked closely with Kobach to draft the bill so that it would survive judicial review.
2004 election
In the 2004 election cycle, Kobach was the Republican nominee for Congress in the 3rd District, besting primary opponents Adam Taff and Patricia Lightner (Taff had previously lost the 2002 election for the same office to Dennis MooreDennis Moore
Dennis Moore is a former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1999 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
, and Lightner was a six-year veteran state legislator).
He lost to incumbent Dennis Moore
Dennis Moore
Dennis Moore is a former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1999 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
, 55%–43%. The victory was the largest of Moore's congressional campaigns.
The campaign thrust Kobach onto the national stage, mostly due to his stances illegal immigration issues and campaign contributions he received from groups reportedly tied to white supremacists. He was given a speaking role on the opening day of the 2004 Republican National Convention
2004 Republican National Convention
The 2004 Republican National Convention, the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States, took place from August 30 to September 2, 2004 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York...
and used his slot to call for the U.S. military to be sent to the Mexican border to block illegal immigration.
Chairman of Republican Party
On January 28, 2007, Kobach was elected Chairman of the Kansas Republican PartyKansas Republican Party
The Kansas Republican Party is the state affiliate political party in Kansas of the United States Republican Party. The Chair of the Kansas Republican Party is Amanda Adkins.- Political history :...
, serving until January, 2009.
Kobach's chairmanship was noted for the broad changes he introduced to election efforts. As Chairman, he raised money for targeted statewide and legislative races and instituted a direct-role policy for the state party in those races. He also pushed the State Committee to create a "loyalty committee", which was charged with sanctioning Republicans who assisted Democratic candidates in contested races. This led to several party officers being stripped of voting rights in party matters as punishment for giving campaign contributions to Democratic Candidates. Despite the resulting intra-party turmoil, Kansas Republicans enjoyed unusual success at the polls—in 2008, Kansas was one of only five states in the country where Republicans gained a congressional seat. The Kansas Republican Party also increased its majority in the Kansas Senate, claiming 31 out of 40 seats.
After Kobach left office, a Federal Elections Commission audit strongly criticized Kobach's financial management of the Kansas Republican Party. The FEC audit found that when the Kobach served as chairman, the state party failed to pay state and federal taxes. It was also discovered that illegal contributions were accepted.
2010 election
On May 26, 2009, Kobach announced his candidacy for Kansas Secretary of State. His opponents in the Republican primary were Shawnee County Election Commissioner Elizabeth Ensley and J.R. Claeys, former president of the National Association of Government Contractors. Kobach won the Republican nomination with 50.6% of the vote. Ensley and Claeys finished with 27.0% and 22.4%, respectively.On November 2, 2010, Kobach defeated incumbent Democrat
Kansas Democratic Party
The Kansas Democratic Party is the state affiliate political party of the United States Democratic Party headquartered in Topeka, Kansas. The State Party Chairman is Joan Wagnon-Overview:...
Chris Biggs
Chris Biggs
Chris Biggs was the 30th Secretary of State of Kansas. He was appointed on March 16, 2010 by Governor Mark Parkinson to replace Ron Thornburgh who resigned on February 15, 2010. On Nov. 2nd, 2010, he was defeated for election to a full term.Biggs Served as Kansas Securities Commissioner from 2003...
, 59%–37%. Kobach was endorsed by former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson, as well as former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft
John Ashcroft
John David Ashcroft is a United States politician who served as the 79th United States Attorney General, from 2001 until 2005, appointed by President George W. Bush. Ashcroft previously served as the 50th Governor of Missouri and a U.S...
(his former boss at the Dept. of Justice). Arizona's Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio
Joe Arpaio
Joseph M. "Joe" Arpaio is the elected Sheriff of Maricopa County in the U.S. state of Arizona. First voted into office in 1992, Arpaio is responsible for law enforcement in Maricopa County. This includes management of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, county jail, courtroom security,...
campaigned for Kobach as well.
Kobach's treasury secretary, Tom Aprke, was accused of hiding campaign contributions and expenditures.
Other involvements
Kobach served as a missionary to Uganda in 2005 and 2006. Previously, he had volunteered to help build a school in a South AfricanSouth Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
township
Township (South Africa)
In South Africa, the term township and location usually refers to the urban living areas that, from the late 19th century until the end of Apartheid, were reserved for non-whites . Townships were usually built on the periphery of towns and cities...
through the Get Ahead Foundation.) He has also served as a Big Brother
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a 501 non-profit organization whose mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that try to have a measurable impact on youth....
. He was a national rowing champion (men's pair event, master's division in 1998; men's double event, master's division, 2001, 2002). He is also an Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
.
Personal
Kobach is married to wife, Heather, and lives with his three daughters Lilly, Reagan and Molly in Piper, Kansas.He is currently a member of Christ Church, Anglican.