Tuesday, November 17, 2009

A former pharmaceutical company executive is running for Kansas governor as a Democrat.

Tom Wiggans is the first Democrat to announce his candidacy. The 57-year-old Olathe resident appointed a campaign treasurer Tuesday. That step is necessary under state law for a candidate to raise money.

Wiggans is a southeast Kansas native, but until recently he was chief executive officer of Peplin Inc., an Emeryville, Calif., company developing a dermatology product. He moved to Olathe in January.

Wiggans spokeswoman Amy Jordan Wooden says the candidate wasn't available Tuesday because he was in meetings. But she said he would do interviews soon and tour the state.

The Republican nominee is expected to be U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback.