KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas Senator Julia Lynn's request to withdraw from the November ballot as the Republican nominee for District 9 was denied by the Kansas Secretary of State, 41 Action News confirmed Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Lynn announced she wanted to withdraw from the race due to personal reasons.
It was the last day to do so.
Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab reviewed her request and got legal analysis.
He ultimately had to deny the request because it was signed by a nurse instead of a doctor.
Lynn will remain on the ballot for now, but she does have the right to challenge the ruling.
Court proceedings would have to happen quickly, however, because Sept. 19 is the deadline for voting ballots to be mailed overseas.
Lynn does have another option. She could win the election and resign afterward.
Her resignation would be effective on the first day of 2021 legislative session.
If that happens, the Johnson County Republican Party would meet to decide Lynn's replacement.
Lynn has represented District 9, which includes De Soto and parts of Gardner, Lenexa and Olathe, since 2007.
She ran for re-election against Democratic candidate Stacey Knoell.
On Tuesday, Lynn said she needed to care for her “sister’s severely declining health,” in a Facebook post.
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