Jake LaTurner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jake LaTurner
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Official portrait, 2021
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kansas's 2nd district |
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| In office January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Steve Watkins |
| Succeeded by | Derek Schmidt |
| 40th Treasurer of Kansas | |
| In office April 25, 2017 – January 2, 2021 |
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| Governor | Sam Brownback Jeff Colyer Laura Kelly |
| Preceded by | Ron Estes |
| Succeeded by | Lynn Rogers |
| Member of the Kansas Senate from the 13th district |
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| In office January 9, 2013 – April 25, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Bob Marshall |
| Succeeded by | Richard Hilderbrand |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jacob Andrew Joseph LaTurner
February 17, 1988 Galena, Kansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Suzanne Van Gotten
(m. 2009) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Pittsburg State University (BA) Naval War College |
Jacob Andrew Joseph LaTurner (born February 17, 1988) is an American politician. He served as a U.S. representative for Kansas's 2nd congressional district from 2021 to 2025. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Before becoming a U.S. Representative, LaTurner was the 40th Kansas state treasurer from 2017 to 2021. He also served as a state senator for the 13th district from 2013 to 2017. When he was appointed Kansas state treasurer, he became the youngest statewide official in the country. He was elected to that role in 2018, making him the youngest elected statewide official in the United States. LaTurner decided not to run for reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives in April 2024.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Kansas
LaTurner was born and grew up in Galena, Kansas. He went to Galena High School. After high school, he attended Pittsburg State University. There, he earned his college degree in political science.
Early Work Experience
While in college, LaTurner worked for former Kansas treasurer and congresswoman Lynn Jenkins. He worked in her office in Pittsburg. As of 2023, he was also studying for a master's degree at Naval War College.
Kansas Senate
Becoming a State Senator
In 2008, LaTurner ran for the District 13 primary election but did not win. However, in 2012, he ran again and defeated the Republican senator Bob Marshall. At 24 years old, LaTurner became the youngest person serving in the Kansas Senate.
Key Ideas and Laws
As a senator, LaTurner worked on several important ideas. He suggested laws that would limit how long state lawmakers could serve. He also wanted to make it easier for people to ask for public records. This helps make government more open. He also worked to prevent nepotism, which is when people in power give jobs or favors to family members.
In 2015, LaTurner supported a law allowing adults in Kansas to carry firearms without a special permit. In 2016, he wrote a bill to limit how much property taxes could increase.
State Treasurer of Kansas
Appointment and Election
In April 2017, Governor Sam Brownback chose LaTurner to be the Kansas state treasurer. He took over from Ron Estes, who had been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. LaTurner was 29 years old when he was appointed. This made him the youngest statewide official in the entire country. In 2018, he won the election for treasurer against state senator Marci Francisco. This made him the youngest elected statewide official in the U.S.
Helping Kansans with Unclaimed Property
One of the treasurer's main jobs is to manage unclaimed property. This is money or items that people have forgotten about or lost. In Kansas, there was over $350 million worth of unclaimed property. During his first year, LaTurner visited all 105 counties in Kansas. On this tour, he helped return over $10 million to Kansans. In his first year, he returned a record amount of over $25.5 million. He said that every dollar returned helps local communities. He also made the process of getting unclaimed property back easier for people.
Education and Savings Programs
LaTurner also managed the Kansas Learning Quest 529 Education Savings and ABLE Savings Programs. These programs help Kansans save money for their future education or for people living with disabilities. During his first year, he made changes to these programs. Now, people with disabilities can move money saved in a 529 Education Savings Account into their ABLE Account. Also, Learning Quest 529 Education Savings Account holders can use their funds to pay for K-12 school tuition.
In December 2020, Governor Laura Kelly announced that Lynn Rogers would become the next treasurer. Rogers took office in January 2021.
LaTurner v. United States
As Kansas Treasurer, LaTurner continued a legal case against the United States Department of the Treasury. This case asked the federal government to return money from old bonds to Kansas. A judge first agreed with Kansas, saying the federal government should return about $150 million in savings bonds. However, a higher court later changed this decision. The bonds will still be returned to Kansans, but the federal government will handle the process, not the state.
U.S. House of Representatives
Running for Congress in 2020
In 2019, LaTurner decided to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. The current representative for Kansas's 2nd district, Steve Watkins, was facing some challenges. Many people thought Watkins might resign. Former Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer encouraged LaTurner to run against Watkins.
LaTurner announced he would challenge Watkins in September 2019. He said he wanted to make sure the Republican party kept the seat. Watkins had won his previous election by a very small amount. LaTurner had a financial advantage because he could use money from his earlier campaign for the U.S. Senate. In August 2020, LaTurner won the Republican primary election against Watkins. He then ran against Democratic Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla in the general election.
Time in Congress
On January 6, 2021, during the counting of electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election, LaTurner voted to object to Arizona's electoral votes. He had to leave early because he tested positive for COVID-19. This meant he could not vote on the objection to Pennsylvania's electoral votes. In the days that followed, LaTurner voted against impeaching President Trump.
On April 18, 2024, LaTurner announced that he would not seek reelection to the House of Representatives. He said that serving in Congress had taken a "toll" on him. He also stated he would not run for state offices in 2026.
Committee Work
While in the House of Representatives, LaTurner served on several important committees:
- Committee on Homeland Security
- Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Innovation
- Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism
- Committee on Oversight and Accountability
- Subcommittee on Government Operations
- Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
- Subcommittee on Research and Technology
Groups He Joined
LaTurner was also a member of the Republican Study Committee. This is a group of conservative Republican members of the House of Representatives.
Post-Congressional Career
In 2025, after leaving Congress, LaTurner became a partner at PLUS Communications. This company works on strategic communications and public affairs in the Washington, D.C. area.
Images for kids
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Official portrait, 2021
