Sam Brownback facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sam Brownback
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Official portrait, 2018
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| 5th United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom | |
| In office February 1, 2018 – January 20, 2021 |
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| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | David Saperstein |
| Succeeded by | Rashad Hussain |
| 46th Governor of Kansas | |
| In office January 10, 2011 – January 31, 2018 |
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| Lieutenant | Jeff Colyer |
| Preceded by | Mark Parkinson |
| Succeeded by | Jeff Colyer |
| United States Senator from Kansas |
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| In office November 7, 1996 – January 3, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Sheila Frahm |
| Succeeded by | Jerry Moran |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kansas's 2nd district |
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| In office January 3, 1995 – November 7, 1996 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Slattery |
| Succeeded by | Jim Ryun |
| Secretary of Agriculture of Kansas | |
| In office September 18, 1986 – July 30, 1993 |
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| Governor | John W. Carlin Mike Hayden Joan Finney |
| Preceded by | Harland Priddle |
| Succeeded by | Philip Fishburn |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Samuel Dale Brownback
September 12, 1956 Garnett, Kansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Mary Stauffer
(m. 1982) |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Kansas State University (BA) University of Kansas (JD) |
| Signature |  |
Samuel Dale Brownback (born September 12, 1956) is an American politician and diplomat. He has held several important roles in the United States government. He served as a U.S. Senator for Kansas from 1996 to 2011. After that, he became the 46th Governor of Kansas, serving from 2011 to 2018. Later, he was appointed as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom by President Donald Trump.
Brownback grew up on a farm in Parker, Kansas. He studied agricultural economics at Kansas State University and later earned a law degree from the University of Kansas. Before becoming a senator, he worked as a lawyer and served as the Secretary of Agriculture for Kansas. He was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1994. In 1996, he won a special election to become a U.S. Senator.
As governor, Brownback made big changes to Kansas's tax laws. These changes aimed to boost the economy but also led to budget challenges for the state. He also worked on issues like education and healthcare. After his time as governor, he took on the role of Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, focusing on protecting people's right to practice their faith around the world.
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Early Life and Education
Sam Brownback was born on September 12, 1956, in Garnett, Kansas. He grew up on a farm with his parents, Nancy and Glen Robert Brownback. His family had German roots and settled in Kansas after the American Civil War.
When he was young, Sam was very active in the FFA (which used to be called Future Farmers of America). He was even president of his local and state FFA groups and a national vice president.
After high school, Brownback went to Kansas State University. There, he was elected student body president. He earned a degree in Agricultural Economics in 1978. He then worked as a radio broadcaster for a short time. In 1982, he received his law degree (J.D.) from the University of Kansas.
Early Career in Public Service
After finishing law school, Brownback worked as a lawyer in Manhattan, Kansas. In 1986, he was chosen by Governor John W. Carlin to be the Kansas Secretary of Agriculture. This job involves overseeing farming and food in the state.
From 1990 to 1991, he was part of the White House Fellow program. This program gives talented Americans a chance to work with top government officials. Brownback worked with the Office of the United States Trade Representative, which helps manage trade deals for the U.S.
He returned to his role as Secretary of Agriculture until 1993. In 1994, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, representing Kansas. Then, in 1996, he won a special election to become a U.S. Senator for Kansas.
U.S. Senator (1996–2011)
Senate Elections
Sam Brownback became a U.S. Senator in 1996. He won a special election to fill the seat left by Senator Bob Dole. He was reelected for full six-year terms in 1998 and 2004, winning by large amounts of votes each time.
Senator's Responsibilities
As a senator, Brownback served on important groups called committees. These included the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, which deals with laws and courts, and the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations, which decides how government money is spent. He also worked with the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, which checks if countries are following international agreements.
2008 Presidential Campaign
In 2007, Sam Brownback decided to run for President of the United States. He announced his campaign in Topeka, Kansas. He was known for his conservative views on money and social issues. He described himself as an "economic, a fiscal, a social and a compassionate conservative."
He took part in debates and tried to raise money for his campaign. However, he decided to stop his campaign in October 2007 because he didn't have enough funds. He later supported John McCain for president.
Governor of Kansas (2011–2018)
Sam Brownback became the Governor of Kansas in January 2011. During his time as governor, he focused on reducing taxes and improving education.
Tax Changes
In May 2012, Governor Brownback signed a law that made some of the biggest income tax cuts in Kansas history. He called these tax cuts a "real live experiment" to see if they would help the economy grow. The new law removed income taxes for many business owners and lowered tax rates for individuals.
These tax cuts were designed to encourage businesses and create jobs. However, they also caused state income to drop by a lot of money, leading to budget problems. This meant less money for things like schools and roads.
In 2017, the Kansas Legislature decided to undo most of Brownback's tax cuts. They voted to raise taxes again, even though Governor Brownback tried to stop them. Many people, including some former Republican officials, had criticized the tax cuts for causing financial difficulties for the state.
Education and Economy
In 2014, Brownback signed a school finance bill. This bill changed how schools were funded and how teachers could be hired or fired. It also allowed schools to hire teachers without a license for certain subjects like science and math.
During his time as governor, Kansas's job growth rate was one of the lowest in the country. The state also faced a large budget shortfall.
Health Care Decisions
In 2011, Governor Brownback decided to turn down a large grant from the U.S. government. This money was meant to help Kansas set up a health insurance exchange as part of a new federal healthcare law. He believed Kansas should prepare for less federal money and keep its options open.
U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
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In 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Sam Brownback to be the new U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. This role involves working to protect religious freedom around the world. Brownback had actually helped create this position when he was a senator in 1998.
After a close vote in the Senate, Brownback was confirmed for the role in January 2018. He resigned as Governor of Kansas and was sworn in as Ambassador on February 1, 2018. His time as ambassador ended in January 2021.
Key Issues as Ambassador
As Ambassador, Brownback often spoke out about religious freedom. He believed that protecting this freedom helps people and economies grow, and can reduce violence.
He strongly criticized China's treatment of religious groups, including Uyghurs, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong followers, and Christians. He spoke about the Xinjiang internment camps where many Uyghurs have been held.
Brownback also visited Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in Bangladesh. He described the violence they faced as "ethnic cleansing." He worked to highlight the challenges faced by religious minorities globally.
Other Positions and Views
Arts Funding
In 2011, Governor Brownback stopped government funding for the Kansas Arts Commission. He believed that private donations should support arts and culture in the state. This decision meant Kansas lost a federal grant for the arts.
Capital Punishment
Brownback has expressed concerns about the death penalty. He believes it should only be used in very specific cases where society cannot be protected otherwise.
Darfur Conflict
Brownback visited refugee camps in Sudan in 2004. He then worked to raise awareness about the Darfur conflict, calling it a genocide. He pushed for the U.S. to do more to help solve the situation.
Economic Ideas
As governor, he supported lowering income taxes to help Kansas's economy grow. He believed that lower taxes would encourage businesses and create jobs.
Evolution and Intelligent Design
Brownback believes in a higher power and doesn't think that macroevolution (the idea that new species develop from older ones over time) is the only explanation for life. He supports the idea of "teaching the controversy," meaning that teachers should be able to discuss different ideas, including intelligent design, alongside evolutionary theory.
Health Care Support
Brownback has supported efforts to create a national database for childhood cancer and to increase funding for autism research. He also supported ideas to make healthcare prices more clear to the public.
Immigration Views
As a senator, Brownback generally supported higher levels of legal immigration and protection for refugees. He voted for a bill that would have created a way for some undocumented immigrants to become citizens. He has said that his support for immigration reform comes from his belief that the Bible teaches to welcome strangers.
As governor, in 2016, he issued orders to stop state agencies from helping with refugee resettlement from Syria and other Muslim-majority countries. He said this was for security reasons. This decision meant Kansas lost federal money for refugee support.
Iraq War
Brownback supported the U.S. military's efforts in Iraq in 2007. He believed that the U.S. should not withdraw troops too quickly. He voted to allow the use of military force in Iraq.
Other Important Actions
Brownback sponsored a law that increased fines for broadcasting inappropriate content. He also introduced a resolution in the Senate asking the United States to apologize for past mistreatment of Native Americans. He helped establish the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Personal Life
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Sam Brownback is married to Mary Stauffer. They have five children, two of whom are adopted. Brownback converted to Catholicism in 2002 and is associated with a conservative religious organization called Opus Dei. He sometimes attends an evangelical church with his family.
Images for kids
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Senator Brownback officially opening his Iowa campaign headquarters in West Des Moines, IA
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Brownback speaks at the State Department in 2019
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Brownback at the December 2007 AIPAC Policy Conference
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Governor Sam Brownback makes remarks at a ground breaking ceremony at McConnell Air Force Base.
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