kids encyclopedia robot

Jake LaTurner facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Jake LaTurner
Jake-LaTurner.jpg
Official portrait, 2021
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kansas's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by Steve Watkins
Succeeded by Derek Schmidt
40th Treasurer of Kansas
In office
April 25, 2017 – January 2, 2021
Governor Sam Brownback
Jeff Colyer
Laura Kelly
Preceded by Ron Estes
Succeeded by Lynn Rogers
Member of the Kansas Senate
from the 13th district
In office
January 9, 2013 – April 25, 2017
Preceded by Bob Marshall
Succeeded by Richard Hilderbrand
Personal details
Born
Jacob Andrew Joseph LaTurner

(1988-02-17) February 17, 1988 (age 37)
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.

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

kids search engine
Jake LaTurner Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.