HUTCHINSON, Kan. - The Mayor of Buhler is throwing his hat in the ring for a run for County Commissioner. Daniel Friesen announced he filed to run on the Republican ticket for the Reno County Commission District #3 seat. The seat is currently held by Commission Chairman Bob Bush who also announced today that he does not plan to not seek reelection to the Commission.
Friesen has held the position of mayor of Buhler for over 10 years and nearly three terms, having first been elected at the age of 27. Friesen is also the co-founder and chief innovation officer of IdeaTek, a fiber-optic broadband business located in Buhler.
“I’ve enjoyed my years of service in local government administration as Mayor,” Friesen said about his motivation for running. “The commission seat, if I’m elected, would provide an exciting new opportunity to serve our broader county-wide community.”
Friesen cites priorities of tax reduction through tax-base growth, economic development, agency / community efficiencies and technology implementation as some of his primary focus items if elected. Friesen said he looks forward to bringing his expertise in technology and innovation to help the county grow.
When asked about the timing of Bob Bush’s announcement, Friesen said, “Bob and I have been friends for some time now. I’ve talked to him about running for the Commission in the past, and he reached out when he decided not to run for another term. I am humbled to have the support of Bob; those will be big shoes to fill.”
Friesen is a lifelong resident of Reno County, a graduate of Buhler High School, Hutchinson Community College and Wichita State University. He is a licensed private pilot often flying for business or fun, an active member of a local Crossfit gym, chairman of the Quest Center for Entrepreneurs, board member of both the Hutchinson and Buhler Community foundations, and church member and trustee at Buhler MB church. Daniel and his wife Sarah, reside in Buhler and have four children ages seven through thirteen.