10 Oct Chamber President Makes Decision About U.S. Senate Race

Topeka, Kan. – Kansas Chamber President & CEO Alan Cobb issued the following statement regarding his decision not to run for U.S. Senate in 2020:

“When U.S. Senator Pat Roberts announced he would not seek reelection in 2020, many Kansans, including myself, considered throwing their hats into the race. Thank you to the many Kansans who encouraged me to run and pledged your support. Your confidence in me is humbling.

However, after months of serious deliberation, analysis, and careful and prayerful consideration with friends, colleagues and my family, I have decided that the best place for me to pursue my passion is to remain as the President and CEO of the Kansas Chamber.

My passion is Kansas. Outside of my family, the next most important thing for me is the prosperity of my home state, Kansas, and the prosperity of everyone that lives and works here. Advocating, supporting and fighting for Kansas is what I have done my entire career, and even before my career started, as a student.

The Kansas Chamber always has been an incredibly important institution for the betterment of Kansas and Kansas businesses. As the state’s leading advocacy organization, the Chamber’s influence and impact on public policy in Kansas is unmatched. In its nearly 100 years, the Chamber worked to create a more positive business climate that allows for more jobs and economic growth in our communities. I am fortunate to lead this effort as the Chamber President and CEO.

Unfortunately, many challenges remain in my home state. Taxes are too high. Regulations too cumbersome. We don’t critically review the best ways to invest our citizen’s money. Our state supreme court wants to be a policy making body. Our educational institutions must better understand the workforce needs of our business community, so its students are better prepared to succeed when they graduate. Our economy consistently grows slower than the rest of the nation. More people move out of Kansas than move into our wonderful state.

There is no better place to face these tests than at the Kansas Chamber. At the Chamber, we will continue to vigorously pursue public policy changes to reverse the course of our state. We will intensify our focus on improving the business climate in Kansas and improving our state’s economy.

I want to thank my family, the Kansas Chamber Board of Directors and Members and especially, the Chamber team for their patience while I considered this decision, and more importantly, for their unwavering support of the mission of the Chamber.

I also want to thank Senator Roberts for his service to our great state and country.

Free enterprise has rarely been under attack like it is today and my dedication to the cause and all the good that it does has never been stronger.”

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