Home - Colonel Pat Proctor

PROVEN RECORD

Real Priorities, Real Results

The Kansas Secretary of State has two primary duties – securing and accurately executing our elections, and being the key agency to facilitate establishing and operating businesses in Kansas. As a State Representative and Chair of the House Elections Committee, I have championed and enacted into law strong election safeguards: ensuring only US citizens vote, restoring election day as the deadline for casting ballots, and strengthening paper audits of our elections. My economic record has prioritized enacting reforms to recruit new jobs and businesses to Kansas, reduce government regulation, and reduce income, property and sales taxes for all Kansans. As a business owner, I have interacted with the Secretary of State office and have experienced what works and what needs improvement to keep Kansas open for business.

HOMELAND & ELECTION SECURITY EXPERT

Securing Elections from Foreign & Domestic Threats

In addition to chairing the House Elections Committee, I am also an assistant professor at Wichita State University teaching courses on the threats to our homeland and the techniques we can employ to secure the operations of our Kansas government. New challenges arise constantly from nefarious foreign and domestic actors to affect the integrity of our elections. As Secretary of State I will be ever vigilant regarding these threats and know how to effectively engage law enforcement and our partners in other states and the federal government. I am also a member of the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission Board of Advisors, providing input on national election security matters. And, as the Chairman of the Kansas Security Committee, I provide oversight of the state’s efforts to secure critical infrastructure and keep Kansans safe

VETERAN

Leading to Defend Our American Freedoms

Serving 25 years in the U.S. Army, I’ve defended our freedoms and fought for the ideals of democracy, and led teams in combat both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Standing up for American values – for Kansas values – has been a cornerstone of both my military career and public service. As Secretary of State, I will carry on that mission to strongly safeguard Kansans’ right to vote, ensuring every lawful vote counts and securing our ballots and election processes.

BUSINESS OWNER

Creating Jobs, Creating Opportunity for Kansans

Typical politicians like to “talk” about creating jobs. As a small business owner, I’ve actually done it. I know firsthand that job creation takes more than talk. Establishing and operating a business takes risk and hard work. Government should be a helper, not a hindrance to establishing a Kansas business and bringing opportunity to our citizens. As Secretary of State, I will prioritize making Kansas a welcoming state to do business and create quality jobs in our communities.

Col. Pat Proctor served in the Army from 1989-2019. He and his wife Aree came to Ft. Leavenworth in 2006 and it has been home ever since. The Proctors own Baan Thai Restaurant, which they have built into the largest Thai restaurant chain in Kansas. Pat served in Iraq and Afghanistan, while Aree maintained the home front in Leavenworth, raising their two children. Since retiring from the Army, Pat has continued to serve through civic organizations and investment to bring jobs and opportunity to his hometown of Leavenworth. Pat was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2020, and serves as Chair of the House Elections Committee and as Chair of the Joint Committee on Kansas Security. Pat is also an assistant professor at Wichita State University teaching courses on national security issues.