By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

James Leiker is hoping for a great birthday present this year, he said, as Jan. 14 will be his 32nd birthday and right around time the Kansas Legislature will convene in 2015.

Leiker, currently vice president of Hays USD 489 Board of Education, recently announced his candidacy last week as representative for 111th District.

Leiker said he has been contemplating the move for the last six months after being approached by “a number of people in the community.”

“I have always felt the need to to make a difference. I have always seen communities — as most people know — as volunteer driven, and so anything you can do to get out there in your community and make a difference, that is a huge impact,” Leiker said.

Leiker said the decision to put his name in the running was not made lightly.

“As (I) looked through school issues and water issues, which I have a very strong background in, and now we are looking at the lesser prairie chicken, which I have a strong background in, agriculture, the oil industry — all of those things came together,” Leiker said. “And then when my family said, ‘You know, if this is something your thinking about, we 100-percent support you’ and that was what really pushed it forward — the support of the people and, of course, my family giving me the nod.”

Leiker will run as a Democrat against Rep. Sue Boldra, R-Hays.

Leiker is going on his fourth year on the USD 489 school board and has worked for Kansas State Research and Extension watershed project technician.

He is currently employed by Genesis PURE Corp, along with his wife, Tayrn. The couple have two children ages 9 and 5.