Kansas Republican party leader Jack Ranson has died. Ranson died at a Wichita hospital Thursday night. He was 78-years-old.

Ranson served on the National Republican Committee and was the chairman of the Kansas GOP. Ranson was a leader of the moderates in the party, and served as an advisor for candidates including Senators Bob Dole, Nancy Kassebaum Baker & Pat Roberts, and former Governor Bill Graves.

Congressman Todd Tiahrt issued a statement on Ranson's life. "He was a giant in Kansas politics", Tiahrt said. "His enormous political contributions to our state will be felt for decades".

Ranson is the husband of former Kansas State Sen. Pat Ranson, a Wichita Republican.