By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Ed Berger, who lost his State Senate primary to Dr. Mark Steffen in August, is going to take on the interim General Manager's position for the Kansas State Fair.
"I've always been a strong supporter and proponent of the fair," Berger said. "I've gone to the fair since I was in grade school. I think the only, perhaps, few years when I didn't go to the fair was when I was out in Western Kansas. The fair is so important to Hutchinson, the entire region, the state of Kansas. It really is the showcase for agriculture in the state."
Former General Manager Robin Jennison was a former Speaker of the Kansas House and candidate for governor. Berger doesn't have that kind of profile, but he believes his legislative service will help.
"I think it would be very helpful to have someone that has legislative contacts," Berger said. "Not saying I've got that many, but certainly I think I could be helpful as far as the legislature is concerned."
Berger is looking to fill in, but doesn't appear to have designs on the permanent job.
"It's an interim position," Berger said. "It's until they get a full-time manager. Certainly, that process needs to start sooner than later, get somebody who can take the fair to where it needs to go, take it to new heights."
The contract with Berger is due to be finalized by the Kansas State Fair Board in November.