Kansas Republican state senator accepts appointment to USDA rural development job
J.R. Claeys, a member of the Kansas Legislature for 13 years, said he accepted appointment to an administrative job in the U.S. Department of Agriculture within under President Donald Trump. He said serving the Salina area was the biggest honor of his life. (Grace Hills/Kansas Reflector)
TOPEKA — Republican Sen. J.R. Claeys of Salina resigned from the Kansas Legislature after accepting an administrative job with the rural business development service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Claeys, who served 13 years in the House and Senate but lost a GOP primary for secretary of state, disclosed several weeks ago his intent to quit as senior advisor to Attorney General Kris Kobach and as a Republican political consultant for Axiom Strategies.
On Monday, Claeys assumed duties at USDA as director of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service. The federal agency within USDA has responsibility for promoting economic development by supporting rural businesses and cooperatives.
Claeys said he joined the administration of President Donald Trump to 'continue to fight for rural Americans.'
'I have had the privilege of serving my hometown in the Kansas Legislature,' Claeys said. 'Representing the people of Saline and Dickinson counties, including Salina where I was born and raised, has been the honor of my life.'
Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said he appreciated the role Claeys' played in shaping the Senate's budget and tax policies.
'He has helped lead efforts to secure key private and public sector investments into Kansas, particularly his district,' Masterson said.
The 24th District in the Senate, in accordance with Section 5 of the Kansas Constitution, was declared vacant and the process of nominating a replacement could begin. Claeys won reelection to a four-year term in November.
Claeys was the second Republican to recently depart the Legislature for employment at USDA. State Rep. Patrick Penn, R-Wichita, stepped down in mid-May to begin work as deputy undersecretary for the agriculture department's food and nutrition service.
Sedgwick County Republicans nominated Steve Brunk to complete the unexpired portion of Penn's term. Brunk served as a state representative from 2003 to 2015.
Claeys said the central Kansas region within his legislative district experienced economic growth due to massive federal investment and an influx of state bond revenue that spurred manufacturing expansion and technological evolution. Developments included transportation projects, housing construction, downtown revitalization and growth at Kansas State University's aviation campus in Salina.
'Rural America is not an afterthought,' Claeys said. 'It is where the strongest work ethic exists in our nation. A resource more valuable than any other.'
Claeys was elected to the House in 2012 and transitioned to the Senate in 2020. He worked on behalf of the Trump presidential campaign in 2020. He ran unsuccessfully for Kansas secretary of state in 2010.
In 2012, the Salina Journal reported a company owned by Claeys was the subject of a Federal Trade Commission investigation into sales of worthless 'green' certifications to more than 125 companies. The FTC concluded Tested Green, based in Washington, D.C., sold bogus environmental certifications from February 2009 to April 2010.
'This company was putting out a green certification that consumers could pay for that was deceptive,' the FEC said at that time. 'It had nothing behind it to prove a company was green.'
The FTC said Tested Green certifications were backed by the National Green Business Association and the National Association of Government Contractors. Those Claeys-owned associations shared an address in the District of Columbia.
Claeys said he launched Tested Green, but turned over management to a 'director' when he began the campaign for Kansas secretary of state. Claeys said he was deceived by the director, who he declined to identify.
The FTC's order listed Jeremy Ryan Claeys was doing business as Tested Green, the Journal said. The company wasn't fined or penalized by the FTC, which typically would issue a cease-and-desist order to the offending company.
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