Monday, March 5, 2012

Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach has formed his own political action committee.

Kobach faced bipartisan criticism Monday from legislators who said it's inappropriate for the state's chief elections official to possibly get involved in partisan election campaigns through a PAC.

The Republican secretary of state did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

Records of the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission show that Kobach created the PAC — called Prairie Fire — on Feb. 15, with himself as its chairman.

State Sen. John Vratil, a Leawood Republican, said Kobach is supposed to be an unbiased elections official. Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, a Topeka Democrat, said creating a PAC is highly inappropriate.

But House Elections Committee Chairman Scott Schwab, an Olathe Republican, says he's not bothered by Kobach's PAC.