NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Democrat Rep. Jason Probst will be a member of his party's rank and file for the next two years.
"I was running to retain my position as Assistant Minority Leader," Probst said. "I was unsuccessful in that effort."
Probst has been in two straight close elections in District 102, but he doesn't believe that's a factor.
"The things that factor in more are age, geography, racial diversity," Probst said. "I think those things play a bigger part in leadership elections than looking out for a vulnerable member."
The leadership election loss may be good news for the centrists in Probst's district.
"I think what the leadership election shows me is I'm, 'not Democrat enough'," Probst said. "It won't really change my approach, but I won't have to worry really about the caucus and I can focus exclusively on the district."
Probst has served in the Kansas House since 2017.
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