Kansas Governor Sam Brownback discussed his appointment on Thursday to become an ambassador in President Trump’s administration during a news conference. On Wednesday the White House announced President Donald Trump would nominate Brownback to serve as ambassador-at-large and run the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom, if confirmed by the Senate.
The 2-term governor answered many questions on a variety of topics including taxes, the economy and more. However, he did not answer the question everyone came to ask. Brownback said he did not know whether he’ll wait until his ambassador’s appointment is confirmed by the U.S. Senate before resigning as governor.
Brownback said he wished Kansas had preserved part of an income tax break he championed as a boon for small businesses. The governor cited the death of the exemption for more than 330,000 farmers and business owners as one of his regrets during his 6½ years as governor so far.
He reflected on his tenure during a Statehouse news conference following his nomination by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.
His departure would elevate Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, a fellow conservative, to governor.