Judy Brigham, former city administrator of Iola, is running for the Kansas House of Representatives.
In an early morning conversation en route to Topeka to file for the Republican nomination, Brigham, 53, said the hastily made decision “feels right.”
“While it would have been nice to have had time to ponder the decision, nobody has that luxury in this race,” she said.
Brigham will face Raymond “Bud” Sifers, Iola, and Ed Bideau, a Chanute attorney, in the Aug. 7 primary election.
A panel of three federal judges drew new legislative districts on Thursday. Most of Allen County was left with no representatives in either the Kansas House or Senate.
The newly drawn 9th District includes the cities and surrounding areas of Iola and Humboldt in Allen County and Chanute in Neosho County.
Bill Otto, Le Roy, formerly represented the area in the Kansas House. Jeff King was in the Kansas Senate.
This is Brigham’s first try at public office.
“I’ve always encouraged people to step up. I guess this is my time to do the same,” she said.
On a personal level Brigham said the timing of the race, “kind of stinks.” Earlier this year Brigham filed a lawsuit against the City of Iola and several of its representatives for her dismissal as city administrator several weeks before she was to retire after 32 years with the city.
The suit has yet to be settled.
Brigham said the support she has received from the public because of her firing also was behind her decision to run for the office.
When asked what political party she belonged to, she replied, “I’m so glad you asked. I’ve tried very hard in my years of public service to be apolitical. It’s embarrassing how in our state legislature it’s not been possible for lawmakers to work together precisely because of their allegiance to a political ideology.
“It’s been chaos in Topeka.”
BRIGHAM SAID her experience in city management prepares her for the role of legislator.
“For years, I have worked in local government managing the repercussions of decisions made in Topeka,” she said.
During her tenure with the city, she has served locally on the Bowlus Fine Arts Commission, was president of PTA, president of the Kansas City Clerks and Municipal Finance Officers Association, and in 2004, was awarded the Master Municipal Clerk designation.
