Will Lawrence

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Will Lawrence

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Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kansas
Tenure

2019 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

5

Elections and appointments
Appointed

December 6, 2018

Education

High school

Burlington High School

Bachelor's

Washburn University

Law

Washburn University

Will Lawrence is a Democratic political advisor in the state of Kansas. As of April 2021, Lawrence was the chief of staff for the gubernatorial administration of Laura Kelly (D).[1]

Education

Lawrence graduated from Burlington High School in Burlington, Kansas, in 2005. He earned a B.A. in political science in 2010 and a Juris Doctorate in 2013 from Washburn University.

Career

Lawrence worked for Kansas Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley from 2010 to 2015. In 2015, he joined the law firm of Fagan Emert & Davis, L.L.C. In 2017, he rejoined Hensley’s staff as chief of staff.[2]

Laura Kelly chief of staff

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On December 6, 2018, Gov. Laura Kelly (D) selected Lawrence as her chief of staff.[2]

Chief of staff

See also: Gubernatorial chiefs of staff
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In 2019, Ballotpedia identified Will Lawrence as a gubernatorial chief of staff. A chief of staff is the lead staff member of an administration and is responsible for implementing the governor's agenda.

The role is both a managerial and advisory position, although specific duties vary by each administration. The chief of staff typically has the following responsibilities, according to the National Governors Association (NGA):[3]

  • Control access to the governor and manage the governor's calendar;
  • Monitor the flow of information to the governor on policy issues;
  • Oversee gubernatorial Cabinet and staff; and
  • Manage and communicate the governor's policy agenda to the state legislature and the public.

In terms of policymaking, the NGA notes that a chief of staff is responsible for bringing policy and communications together: "The chief is responsible for overseeing the development of the governor’s policy agenda. The policy director or advisor is typically responsible for shaping the general concepts and specific details of the agenda with input from the communications director, policy staff, and cabinet members. The chief often must take charge and bring the pieces together coherently."[3]

See also

External links

Footnotes