By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Hays resident James Leiker has filed to run on the Democratic ticket for the Kansas 111th district that includes Hays and Victoria.

“The past number of months, I’ve been approached about it by various people. I sat down and looked at it and it makes sense,” Leiker told Hays Post Friday.

He filed the paperwork in Topeka on Thursday, and it became official today. Rep. Sue Boldra, R-Hays, is the current 111th District representative.

Leiker, 31, has served as a USD 489 Hays school board member for nearly three years and is currently the vice president.

“So many of the school board issues have a lot to do with state funding and we have no local control over that,” Leiker said. “I want to bring state funding back to our schools.”

“I also have a strong water background, which is helpful,” said Leiker, who has worked as a Kansas State Research and Extension Watershed Project Technician.

Leiker and his wife, Tayrn — both employed by Genesis PURE Corp. — have two children, ages 9 and 5, who will both be attending Wilson School this fall.

If he is elected, Leiker said he would have to “give up his school board seat in January” when the Legislature convenes.